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cal  and  Biographical 

"hes  of  Families 

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FAMOUS  FAMILIES 

or 

NEW  YORK 


Historical  and  Biographical 

Sketches  of  Families 
which 
in  successive  generations 
have  been  Identified  with  the 
Development  of  the  NaCion 


BY 
MARGHERITAARUNAHAMM 


ILLUSTRATED 


VOL   II 


=1=5^ 


G.  P.  PUTNAM  S  SONS 

NEW  YORK      LONDON 


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Copyright,  1901,  by  THE  UEW  YORK  EVENING  POST 
Copyright,  1903,  by  G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 


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Ube  ftnlcherbocltet  ^xitt,  Vew  JBott 


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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

XXll. — Livingston i 

XXIIl.— Morris 19 

XXIV— Osgood 39 

XXV. — Potter 49 

XXVI.— Rapalje 61 

XXVII.— Remsen 71 

XXVIII.— Renwick 81 

XXIX. — Roosevelt 93 

XXX, — Rutgers 103 

XXXI.— Schermerhorn 115 

XXXII. — Schuyler 125 

XXXIII.— Smith 139 

XXXIV.— Stuyvesant 149 

XXXV.— Tappen 161 

XXXVI.— Van  Buren 171 

XXXVII.— Van  Cortlandt 183 

XXXVIII.— Van  CoTT 195 

XXXIX.— Vanderbilt 203 

XL. — Van  Rensselaer 213 

XLI.— Van  Siclen 225 

XLII. — Wendell 237 

VOL.  11. 

Ill 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Robert  Livingston 

First  Lord  of  the  Manor 

Judge  Robert  R.  Livingston   .... 

From  the  original  portrait 

Mrs.  Robert  R.  Livingston  (Margaret  Beekman) 

From  the  original  portrait 

Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston . 

Maturin  Livingston        .... 

From  a  miniature 

Mrs.  Maturin  Livingston  (Margaret  Lewis) 

From  a  miniature 

Lewis  Morris 

Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 

Robert  Hunter  Morris    .... 

Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  1754 

"  Old  Morrisania,"  New  York 

Gouverneur  Morris's  residence 

Mrs.  Lewis  Morris  IIL  (Katrintje  Staats) 
Richard  Morris       .... 

Chief  Justice  under  the  Crown 

Frances  Ludium     .... 

Wife  of  Robert  Morris 

Lewis  Gouverneur  Morris 

From  a  steel  engraving  by  Samuel  Sartain 

Samuel  Osgood     .... 

From  the  painting  by  J.  Trumbull 

Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Osgood 

From  a  steel  engraving 


Frontispiece 


ID 
10 

14 
16 

16 

20 

26 

26 

28 
30 

32 

34 
40 

46 


VI 


miudtratiotid 


Mrs.  Samuel  Osgood 4^ 

From  the  painting  by  J.  Trumbull 

Bishop  Alonzo  Potter 50 

From  a  painting 

Maria  Nott 5^ 

Wife  of  Bishop  Alonzo  Potter 

Clarkson  N.  Potter 56 

From  a  photograph 

Jacob  Rapalje 62 

From  a  steel  engraving 

The  Rapalje  Family  Bible,  in  possession  of  Henry  S.  Rapalje, 

Esq 66 

Title-page  of  the  Rapalje  Family  Bible  and  page  showing 

family  records 66 

The  Rapalje  Estate,  35th  Street  and  North  River  ...      68 

Redrawn  from  an  old  print 

George  Rapalje 70 

From  a  photograph  in  possession  of  Henry  S.  Rapalje,  Esq. 

The  Remsen  Farmhouse 76 

From  an  old  print 

Bedford  Corners  in  1776 76 

From  a  print  in  Valentine's  Manual j  i8i;8 

Professor  James  Renwick 82 

From  an  oil  painting  owned  by  Mrs.  James  Renwick 

Grace  Church,  Broadway 86 

St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  Fifth  Avenue 88 

Mrs.  William  Rhinelander  Renwick  (Eliza  S.  Crosby)  .        .      90 

From  a  miniature  owned  by  Edmund  Abdy  Hurry,  Esq. 

William  Rhinelander  Renwick 90 

From  a  miniature  owned  by  Edmund  Abdy  Hurry,  Esq. 

Jean  Jeffrey 92 

From  a  picture  in  the  possession  of  Edmund  Abdy  Hun-y,  Esq. 

Theodore  Roosevelt  94 

From  a  photograph  by  Rockwood 

Isaac  Roosevelt 98 

From  an  India  ink  drawing  in  the  Emmett  Collection,  Lenox  Library 


miustratlons  vii 


The  Administration  Building 

Roosevelt  Hospital 

Colonel  Henry  Rutgers 

From  a  steel  engraving 

The  Old  Rutgers  Mansion,  New  York,  1768  . 

From  a  print  in  Valentine's  Matiual 

The  Old  "  Glebe  House,"  Woodbury,  Conn. 

(At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  it  was  the  home  of  the  Rev,  John  Rutgers  Marshall) 

The  Rutgers  House,  Rutgers  Place        .... 

Between  Jefferson  and  Clinton  Streets 
From  a  print  in  Valentine's   Manual,  1858 

The  Schermerhorn  Residence,  84th  Street  and  East  River 

From  a  print  in  Valentine's   Manual,  1866 

General  Philip  Schuyler 

From  the  painting  by  Trumbull 

Philip  Jeremiah  Schuyler 

From  an  oil  painting 

Mrs.  Philip  Jeremiah  Schuyler  (Mary  Anna  Sawyer)     . 

From  an  oil  painting 

Philip  Schuyler 

Fiom  a  miniature 

Grace  Hunter 

Wife  of  Philip  Schuyler 
From  a  miniature 


PAGE 

100 

104 

108 

I  12 
I  12 

120 
126 

128 
128 
132 
132 


Louise  Lee  Schuyler 134 

The  Interior  of  the  Schuyler  House  on  31st  Street         .        .134 
Philip  Schuyler 136 

From  a  painting  by  R.  M.  Stagg 

The  Schuyler  Home  "Nevis,"  at  Tarrytown  on  the  Hudson  .     136 
William  Smith 140 

Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 

William  Smith 144 

Chief  Justice  of  New  York  and  of  Canada 
From  a  steel  engraving 

Peter  Stuyvesant 150 

After  an  engraving  of  the  picture  owned  by  the  N.  Y.  Historical  Society 


VllI 


miustrations 


The  Residence  of  Nicholas  W.  Stuyvesant    . 

Which  slood  in  8th  Street,  between  First  and  Second  Avenues 
From  a  print  in  Valentine's  Manual,  1857 

Frederick  D.  Tappen 

From  a  photograpli 

Martin  Van  Buren 

From  a  steel  engraving 

Pierre  Van  Cortlandt 

From  the  painting  by  J.  W.  Jarvis 

Cornelius  Vanderbilt 

From  a  steel  engraving 

William  H.  Vanderbilt 

From  a  steel  engraving 

The  Obelisk  in  Central  Park  .... 

Brought  from  Egypt  by  Wm.  H.  Vanderbilt 

Residence  of  the  late  Cornelius  Vanderbilt,  57th  Street  and 
Fifth  Avenue 

Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  .... 

First  Lord  of  the  Manor 

Margaret  Schuyler         .... 

Wife  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  111. 

Philip  Van  Rensselaer    .... 

Mayor  of  Albany 

Maria  Van  Cortlandt     .... 

Wife  of  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  the  Fourth  Patroon 

Anna  Van  Wely 

Second  wife  of  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  the  First  Patroon 

Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  ill.  . 

Patroon  of  the  Manor  of  Van  Rensselaerwyck 
Major-General  of  the  United  States  Army 

Cornelia  Paterson 

Second  wife  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  111. 
From  a  miniature 

The  Old  Van  Siclen  House  in  Ghent,  Belgium 

Built  about  1 338,  and  still  standing 


-^\ 


■\^-1 


r>.^ 


Xivingston 


XXII 


LIVINGSTON 

"ffELIGlOUS  zeal  and  persecution  were 
powerful  factors  in  the  settlement  of 
the  New  Netherlands,  as  of  New  Eng- 
land. With  the  Dutch  colonists  went 
Huguenots,  seeking  that  freedom  in 
the  New  World  which  was  denied  to 
them  in  the  Old,  and  British  indepen- 
dents who  could  not  adapt  them- 
selves to  the  conditions  of  life  then 
existing  in  England  and  Scotland. 
Settlers  of  this  type  exert  a  more  po- 
tent influence  than  do  such  as  emi- 
grate from  motives  of  gain,  glory,  or  power.  The  intensity  of  their 
moral  and  intellectual  life  reacts  upon  their  social  environment, 
causing  them,  it  may  be  said,  to  become  either  martyrs  or 
monarchs. 

Running  through  the  agricultural  and  commercial  fabric  of 
Dutch  life  in  America,  were  strong  threads  of  religious  devotion 
and  heroism.  They  modified  their  surroundings  and  imparted 
their  force  and  tendencies  to  whatever  came  within  the  circle  of 
their  influence. 

Fanaticism  caused  the  exile  of  the  Rev.  John  Livingston,  a 
Scotch  clergyman  of  remarkable  ability.  Like  other  non-conform- 
ists, he  went  to  Holland,  where  he  became  a  noted  preacher.  His 
family  tree  runs  back  to  1124  a.d.     During  the  five  centuries 


4  Xlvlnoston 

between  that  time  and  the  exile,  they  were  Lords  Livingston  and 
Earls  of  Linlithgow.  They  were  among  the  noblest  families  of 
Scotland,  and  for  generations  were  in  the  front  rank  of  the  court- 
iers at  Holyrood.  The  distinguished  divine  had,  therefore,  the 
strongest  social  influence  and  position  when  he  began  his  sacred 
calling  anew  in  the  Netherlands.  There  he  became  acquainted 
with  the  merchant  princes  of  the  time,  among  them  Kiliaen  Van 
Rensselaer,  the  First  Patroon.  The  New  Netherlands  were  a  fre- 
quent subject  of  conversation  in  the  society  wherein  these  men 
moved,  and  those  who  were  far-sighted  perceived  the  future  im- 
portance of  the  fertile  territories  in  America.  None  took  a  livelier 
interest  than  the  Scotch  minister,  who  made  no  less  than  two  un- 
successful attempts  to  emigrate. 

What  the  father  was  unable  to  do,  the  son,  Robert  [1654], 

achieved.     Provided  with  strong  letters  of  introduction,  and  well 

acquainted  with  many  of  the  foremost  Dutchmen  al- 

Robert,  ' 

First  Lord  of  ready  in  the  New  Netherlands,  he  sailed  from  Green- 
the Manor      ^^^^  ^^^jj  ^g^  ^^^^^  bound  for  Charlcstowu,  in  New 

England,  and  arrived  in  New  Amsterdam  about  1674.  He  was  a 
well-educated  man,  and  had  a  fair  knowledge  of  surveying  and 
certain  useful  arts.  He  worked  hard  from  the  day  of  landing, 
saved  all  he  could,  and  in  a  few  years  seems  to  have  accumulated 
a  large  amount  of  money.  At  the  end  of  five  years,  he  married, 
July  9,  1679,  Alida,  nee  Schuyler,  the  widow  of  Dr.  Nicolaus  Van 
Rensselaer.  The  union  proved  a  happy  one.  The  issue  was  four 
sons  and  two  daughters.  In  1686,  Robert  obtained  from  Governor 
Dongan  a  patent  of  Livingston  Manor,  which  consisted  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  thousand  acres  of  fertile  country  on  the  Hud- 
son River,  halfway  between  New  York  and  Albany,  and  opposite 
the  Catskills.  It  seems  curious  that  the  cost  of  this  magnificent 
estate  amounted  to  not  more  than  two  hundred  dollars  worth  of 
merchandise,  including  blankets,  shirts,  stockings,  axes,  adzes, 
paint,  scissors,  jack-knives,  and  pocket  looking-glasses. 

He  led  a  busy  life,  attending  to  his  great  domain  and  serving 
in  many  offices  of  honor  and  trust.  The  records  show  that  he 
was  a  secretary  to  the  Albany  Commissary,  Town    Clerk  and 


XlviiiQSton  5 

Town  Collector,  Secretary  of  Indian  Affairs,  member  of  the  Coun- 
cil, member  of  the  General  Assembly  (1709-171 1),  and  Speaker  of 
the  General  Assembly  (1718).  He  bestowed  great  care  upon  the 
education  of  his  children,  and  lived  to  see  several  of  them  occupy 
high  places  in  the  community.  He  loved  adventure,  and  was 
noted,  even  among  the  Indians,  for  his  skill  in  hunting.  In  1694, 
he  made  a  trip  across  the  ocean,  and  was  wrecked  on  the  coast  of 
Portugal.  He  displayed  great  fortitude  during  the  disaster,  and 
was  instrumental  in  saving  several  lives.  A  thoroughly  pious 
man,  he  saw  in  his  preservation  the  answer  to  his  prayers,  and 
commemorated  his  escape,  family  tradition  says,  by  making  an 
appropriate  change  in  the  family  escutcheon.  For  the  ancient 
crest  of  a  demi-savage,  he  substituted  the  figure  of  a  ship  in  dis- 
tress. This  will  account  for  the  fact  that  both  coats-of-arms  are 
found  in  the  family  records. 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  built  a  church  near  his 
Manor  House,  now  known  as  Linlithgow — a  tomb  within  its 
portals.  Here  his  body  was  laid  away.  The  building,  in  the 
course  of  years,  decayed  and  was  torn  down.  Upon  this  site  his 
descendants  have  erected  a  memorial  church,  and  over  the  tomb 
have  placed  a  tablet  in  honor  of  the  founder  of  their  race  in  the 
United  States. 

The  four  sons  of  the  first  "  Lord  "  were  worthy  of  their  father. 
The  oldest,  John,  embraced  a  military  career,  and  rose  to  be  a 
colonel  in  the  Connecticut  militia.  He  married  twice,  his  first  wife 
being  the  only  daughter  of  Governor  Winthrop  of  Connecticut, 
and  his  second,  Elizabeth  Knight.  As  he  left  no  issue,  and  as  he 
died  before  his  father  (in  London,  1717),  the  title  of  "Lord"  as 
well  as  the  oldest  son's  share  of  the  family  estate  went  Phmpthe 
to  Philip,  who  was  born  in  1686.  The  latter,  dis-  Pnnceiy 
satisfied  with  farming,  turned  his  attention  to  commercial  life, 
and,  owing  to  his  great  wealth  as  well  as  to  his  natural  ability, 
became,  if  not  the  greatest,  at  least  one  of  the  great  merchants  of 
his  period.  He  married  Katherine  Van  Brugh,  by  whom  he  had 
six  sons  and  two  daughters.  In  the  latter  half  of  his  life  he 
became  famous  for  his  hospitality.     He  kept  his  three  houses,  in 


6  Olivinoston 

New  York,  Clermont,  and  Albany,  always  open  to  his  friends  and 
acquaintances,  and  gave  entertainment  for  man  and  beast  to  whom- 
soever called.  To  him  was  applied  the  term  "The  Princely 
Livingston."  He  did  not  allow  private  business  to  engross  his 
attention  to  the  neglect  of  public  duties.  He  served  as  Town 
Clerk,  Secretary  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  member  of  the  Legislative 
Council. 

The  third  son,  Robert,  was  the  most  cultured  and  intellectual, 
if  not  the  ablest,  of  the  generation.  He  received  a  collegiate 
Robert  of  cducatiou  in  Scotland,  and  studied  law  at  the  Temple  in 
Clermont  London,  wherc  he  won  high  praise  for  his  legal  acumen. 
Upon  his  return  to  the  New  World,  he  opened  a  law  office  at 
Albany,  where  he  soon  built  up  a  lucrative  practice.  It  was  about 
this  time  that  he  surprised  a  burglar  who  was  breaking  into  his 
father's  house  by  climbing  down  the  chimney.  He  seized  the 
fellow  by  his  legs,  hauling  him  down  into  the  ashes,  and  fright- 
ened him  into  making  a  full  confession,  which  included  the  de- 
tails of  a  plot  to  rob  and  murder  the  white  people  of  the  district. 
The  father  was  so  pleased  with  his  son's  courage  that  he  pre- 
sented him  with  a  section  of  the  manor  land  containing  thirteen 
thousand  acres.  From  this  piece  of  land  the  young  man  received 
his  name,  Robert  of  Clermont,  and  the  place  was  called  for  gener- 
ations the  Lower  Manor.  He  was  a  member  of  the  General  As- 
sembly from  171 1  to  1727.     He  married  Miss  Howarden. 

Gilbert,  the  fourth  son,  was  the  least  conspicuous  of  the  four; 

he  devoted  himself  to  his  estate,  to  reading,  and  to  social  duties. 

He  married  Cornelia  Beekman,  and  was  the  founder  of 

Gilbert  ' 

the  Poughkeepsie  branch  of  the  family.     From  1728  to 
1737,  he  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Margaret,  one  of  the  daughters  of  the  founder,  made  a  notable 
marriage  when  she  espoused  Colonel  Samuel  Vetch,  the  first  English 
Governor  of  Annapolis.    The  other  daughter,  Johanna,  married 
Cornelius  Van  Home,  a  well-to-do  property-owner  of  that  time. 
Robert  "the  It  would  uot  be  fair,  in  commenting  upon  this 

Nephew"       generation,  to  omit  Robert  Livingston,  a  nephew  of  the 
first  "Lord  of  the  Manor,"  who  came  to  this  country  in  1684, 


livinaston  7 

ten  years  after  his  uncle.  While  he  did  not  occupy  so  large  a 
place  in  the  public  view,  nevertheless  he  and  his  did  much  for  the 
State,  and  added  to  the  glory  of  the  race. 

His  wife  was  Margaretta  Schuyler,  niece  of  Alida,  his  uncle's 
wife,  by  whom  he  had  sons  and  daughters.  Three  of  his  sons 
— Peter,  John,  and  James— became  prominent  in  their  time. 

The  third  generation  made  the  golden  age  of  the  Livingston 
family;  each  of  the  four  branches  (Philip,  Gilbert,  and  Robert  of 
Clermont,  of  the  founder's  side,  and  Robert,  the  nephew)  had 
able  and  vigorous  sons,  who  led  lives  of  the  greatest  activity  and, 
in  the  main,  of  beneficence.  The  Philip  branch  was  the  most 
notable  on  account  of  its  numbers,  there  having  been  no  less  than 
six  sons,  each  of  whom  rose  superior  to  the  average  of  his  time. 
Nearly  all  had  daughters  of  physical,  mental,  and  social  charm, 
who  strengthened  the  house  through  marriage.  Genealogically, 
the  head  of  the  family  was  Robert,  the  third  "  Lord  of  „  . 

■'  '  Robert,  Third 

the  Manor,"  son  of  Philip,  who  was  born  in  1708,  and  Lord  of  the 
died  at  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-two.  He  inherited 
his  father's  business  ability,  enterprise,  and  thrift,  and  increased 
the  large  fortune  which  he  had  inherited.  He  married  Mary 
Thong,  a  great-granddaughter  of  Rip  Van  Dam,  by  whom  he  had 
six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Like  nearly  all  the  men  of  his 
family,  he  served  the  State  for  a  long  time,  having  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  General  Assembly,  and  held  minor  offices.  His  three 
brothers — Philip,  who  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
Peter  Van  Brugh,  and  William,  the  war-Governor  of  "New  Jersey — 
are  known  as  the  "Revolutionary  trio."  Philip  [1716]  was  a 
Yale  graduate;  in  1746,  he  was  referred  to  as  one  of  the  pwiipthe 
fifteen  collegians   in  the  colony.      From  college  he  Signer 

went  into  mercantile  life,  and  became  an  importer  in  New  York. 
He  was  successful  in  business,  and  in  1755  had  become  a  leader 
in  the  commercial  world.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  politics 
of  the  day;  he  was  one  of  the  seven  New  York  Aldermen  in  1754  ; 
and  thereafter  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly.  As  early  as 
1760,  he  identified  himself  with  the  opposition  to  the  methods  of 
the  British  Government.     He  was  a  prominent  correspondent  of 


8  Xlvlnoeton 

Fdmund  Burke,  and  supplied  that  statesman  with  much  know- 
ledge of  colonial  affairs. 

While  most  of  the  men,  especially  the  merchants  of  the  time, 
were  afraid  to  take  part  in  the  questions  of  the  day,  Philip  never 
hesitated.  In  1764,  he  drew  up  an  address  to  Lieutenant-Governor 
Golden,  in  which  he  used  language  so  bold  as  to  warrant  the 
charge  of  treason.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  "  Stamp-Act  Gon- 
gress"  in  170s,  and  was  cordially  hated  by  the  Royalists,  who 
made  open  war  upon  him  and  unseated  him  when  he  was  elected 
to  the  Assembly.  He  was  unanimously  elected  a  member  of  the 
First  Continental  Gongress,  and  remained  a  member  of  the  House 
until  his  death.  On  behalf  of  New  York,  he  signed  the  Declaration 
of  Independence;  and  he  has  ever  since  been  known  as  "Philip 
the  Signer."  He  also  served  in  the  Senate  of  New  York.  His 
benevolence  was  great;  he  gave  away  seldom  less  than  one  third 
of  his  income.  He  founded  the  professorship  of  divinity  in  Yale, 
took  part  in  the  organization  of  the  Society  Library  of  New  York, 
and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Golumbia  Gollege.  In  his  time, 
Brooklyn  was  a  poor  farming  country,  and  not  at  all  popular  with 
Knickerbocker  society.  He  foresaw  its  future  and  purchased  con- 
siderable land  on  what  is  now  known  as  Brooklyn  Heights.  He 
built  a  mansion  at  about  the  present  corner  of  Hicks  and  Joral- 
emon  streets,  and  laid  out  a  fme  carriage-road  from  his  estate 
to  Red  Hook  Lane.  This  road  is  now  Livingston  Street.  In  this 
mansion  Washington  held  a  council  of  war  in  August,  1776.  in 
1770,  Philip  took  part  in  organizing  the  Ghamber  of  Commerce. 
Though  his  family  were  non-conformists,  he  manifested  a  singular 
catholicity  in  religious  sentiment,  establishing  a  chair  of  divinity 
in  Yale,  aiding  Golumbia,  which  was  of  the  Ghurch  of  England; 
contributing  to  the  Presbyterian  Ghurch,  and  aiding  liberally  in 
the  construction  of  the  first  Methodist  church  in  the  United  States. 
His  wife  was  Christina,  daughter  of  Colonel  Ten  Broeck. 

Peter  Van  Brugh  [1710],  was  a  Yale  man  of  173 1.  As  did  his 
Peter  brother,  he  went  to  New  York  and  entered  upon  a 

vanBnigh  mercantile  Career.  He  built  a  handsome  mansion  on  the 
east  side  of  what  is  now  Hanover  Square,  whose  beautiful  gardens 


Xlvlnoston  9 

extended  to  the  East  River.  His  partner  was  Lord  Stirling,  whose 
sister  he  married  in  1739.  His  official  services  to  the  State  were 
long  and  honorable;  he  was  member  of  the  Provincial  Council 
and  of  the  Committee  of  One  Hundred,  delegate  to  the  First  and 
Second  Provincial  Congresses  of  New  York,  Treasurer  of  Congress 
(1776),  trustee  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  (now  Princeton),  and 
a  member  of  numerous  Revolutionary  and  patriotic  organizations. 
John  Adams  spoke  of  him  as  "an  old  man,  extremely  stanch  in 
the  cause,  and  very  sensible,"  which,  coming  from  the  grim 
Massachusetts  statesman,  was  high  praise,  indeed. 

William  [1723]  was  the  most  picturesque  of  the  six  sons. 
He  was  brought  up  by  his  maternal  grandmother,  Sarah  Van 
Brugh,  who  seems  to  have  had  eccentric  ideas  as  to  a  wiiiiamthe 
boy's  education.  She  did  not  neglect  his  book-learn-  war-covemor 
ing,  but  made  physical  development  a  point.  By  the  time  he 
was  thirteen,  he  was  skilled  in  horsemanship,  woodcraft,  fishing, 
and  agriculture.  At  fourteen,  he  was  sent  into  the  forest,  where 
he  lived  a  year  among  the  Mohawks,  under  the  care  of  a  mission- 
ary and  an  Indian  chief.  He  came  back  with  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  the  Mohawk  language  and  a  master  of  all  the  Indian 
dances.  Sent  to  Yale,  he  proved  himself  the  best  fighter  and  best 
scholar  of  his  class,  which  was  that  of  174 1.  He  studied  law  and 
became  a  leader  of  the  bar,  with  the  quaint  sobriquet  of  "the 
Presbyterian  lawyer."  He  served  in  the  Provincial  Legislature  for 
three  years,  and  then  removed  to  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.  Here  he 
built  a  fine  country  seat,  which  in  after  years  became  celebrated 
as  Liberty  Hall.  Elizabethtown  was  then  said  to  be  in  the  wilder- 
ness; from  New  York  it  was  at  least  one  day's  journey.  Never- 
theless, so  fascinating  was  the  man,  and  so  attractive  his  four 
daughters,  that  the  house  was  always  crowded  with  visitors. 
Among  these  were  Alexander  Hamilton,  John  Jay,  and  other  lead- 
ing men  of  that  period.  William  foresaw  the  Revolution,  and 
from  the  first  was  a  fierce  and  uncompromising  patriot.  When  it 
came  to  nominating  a  delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress,  he 
was  so  fearful  that  the  people  would  send  a  weak  representative 
that,  it  is  said,  he  made  a  personal  canvass  of  the  electors,  and 


10  Xlvlnoston 

only  stopped  when  he  found  that  he  was  the  one  candidate  who 
had  been  thought  of  by  the  people.  He  was  a  delegate  twice, 
serving  upon  the  more  important  committees.  He  gave  up  Con- 
gressional life  to  become  a  brigadier-general  and  governor, 
holding  the  latter  office  until  his  death.  In  this  double  capacity 
he  was  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  to  the  British,  by  whom  he  was  called 
the  "Don  Quixote  of  the  Jerseys."  He  gave  them  so  much 
trouble  that  they  set  a  price  upon  him,  and  induced  reckless 
adventurers  to  attempt  his  kidnapping,  as  well  as  to  burn  his 
mansion.  Many  attempts  were  made,  but  all  proved  failures. 
Before  three  years  had  gone  by,  many  of  the  ignorant  British 
troops  believed  that  the  war-Governor  was  in  league  with  Satan 
and  had  supernatural  powers  of  appearing  and  disappearing. 

In  1777,  William  recommended  in  his  message  to  the  Assem- 
bly the  abolition  of  slavery,  and  eleven  years  later  he  secured  the 
passage  of  an  act  forbidding  the  importation  of  slaves  into  the  State. 
He  had  inherited  or  had  obtained  many  slaves  himself,  but  these 
he  liberated  and  helped  on  as  free  citizens.  His  versatility  was 
notable.  He  wrote  a  digest  of  the  laws  of  New  York,  several 
volumes  on  law  and  politics,  a  long  and  somewhat  heavy  poem 
entitled  "  Philosophical  Solitude,"  and  many  bits  of  lighter  verse, 
essays,  theses,  and  pamphlets.  In  writing  about  him,  President 
Timothy  D  wight,  of  Yale  College,  said:  "The  talents  of  Governor 
Livingston  were  very  various.  His  imagination  was  brilliant,  his 
wit  sprightly  and  pungent,  his  understanding  powerful,  his  taste 
refined,  and  his  conceptions  bold  and  powerful.  His  views  of 
political  subjects  were  expansive,  clear,  and  just.  Of  freedom, 
both  civil  and  religious,  he  was  a  distinguished  champion." 

Robert  of  Clermont  had  but  one  son,  Robert  R.  Livingston 
[1718].  Upon  his  father's  death  he  became  the  owner  of  the 
Robert  R.,  or  ^state,  which  made  him  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of 
Robert  the  the  colony.  Owing  partly  to  his  wealth  and  partly 
to  his  ability,  he  became  a  person  of  much  distinction, 
and  was  appointed  judge  by  the  English  Crown.  He  is  known 
as  "Judge  Robert,"  to  distinguish  him  from  his  famous  son  of  the 
same  name,  the  Chancellor.    Like  nearly  all  of  his  relatives,  he 


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Xlvlngston  1 1 

was  an  ardent  patriot,  and  was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  Colonial 
Congress  held  in  New  York  in  1765,  better  known  as  the  Stamp 
Act  Congress.  He  married  Miss  Margaret  Beekman,  daughter  of 
Colonel  Henry  Beekman  of  Rhinebeck.  By  her  he  had  many  chil- 
dren, of  whom  at  least  three  were  to  become  famous  in  law  and 
politics.  Of  Judge  Robert,  an  interesting  story  is  told  by  a  friend. 
At  a  family  party  in  Clermont  one  evening  he  was  talking  with 
his  father,  Robert  of  Clermont,  his  son,  the  future  Chancellor,  and 
his  son-in-law.  Captain,  afterwards  General,  Richard  Montgomery. 
The  conversation  turned  upon  the  relations  of  the  colonies  to 
Great  Britain,  and  soon  became  excited.  The  argument  culmi- 
nated in  a  bit  of  prophecy  from  the  aged  head  of  the  house,  who 
exclaimed:  "  It  is  intolerable  that  a  continent  like  America  should 
be  governed  by  a  little  island  three  thousand  miles  away.  America 
must  and  will  be  independent.  My  son,  you  will  not  live  to  see 
it;  Montgomery,  you  may;  Robert,"  turning  to  his  grandson, 
"you  will."  The  prophecy  was  fulfilled.  Montgomery  was 
killed  at  the  siege  of  Quebec,  1775;  the  son  died  before  independ- 
ence was  achieved,  while  the  grandson  became  one  of  the  leaders 
of  the  new  republic. 

James,  son  of  Robert  the  nephew,  left  his  country  home  to 
engage  in  commercial  life  at  New  York.     He  became  j^^ 

an  opulent  merchant.     His  wife  was  Maria  Kiersted, 
by  whom  he  had  issue. 

John,  his  brother,  devoted  his  life  to  the  family  estates.  He 
espoused  Catharine  Ten  Broeck,  daughter  of  General  Ten  Broeck. 
Among  their  children  were  three  of  the  most  brilliant  jamesthe 
soldiers  of  the  Revolution.  Merchant 

The  fourth  generation  produced  many  eminent  men.  They 
were  so  numerous  that  it  is  difficult  to  select  a  few  representatives 
without  being  guilty  of  neglecting  others  as  worthy.  Robert,  the 
third  "Lord  of  the  Manor,"  had  five  sons,  whose  names  are 
familiar  to  all  students:  Peter  R.,  Walter,  Robert  Cambridge,  John, 
and  Henry;  and  three  daughters:  Mary,  who  married  James  Decare, 
Alida,  and  Catharine.  Each  of  three  sons  has  left  long  lines  of 
descent. 


1 2  XlvlnGSton 

Peter  R.  was  a  wealthy  landed  proprietor  in  Dutchess  County, 
Lieut.-Gov.  'ind  took  a  lively  part  in  State  affairs.  In  1828,  he  was 
Peter  R.        elected  Lieutenant-Governor. 

Walter  [1740],  son  of  Robert,  the  third  Lord,  was  an  able 
lawyer  and  statesman.  His  public  services  were  numerous  and 
Judge  valued.    Among  other  positions  he  held  with  success 

Walter  ^g^g  ^j^g  foilowiug:  Member  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
(1775),  Judge  for  Albany  (1777).  Member  of  Congress  (1784-5), 
Commissioner  of  the  U.  S.  Treasury  (1785).  His  wife  was  Cor- 
nelia Schuyler,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

His  son,  Henry  Walter  [1768],  was  graduated  from  Yale  (1786) 
and  admitted  to  the  New  York  bar.  In  1792,  he  was  appointed 
Judge  secretary  to  Minister  Gouverneur  Morris,  and  served 

Henry  w.  ^y^Q  years  at  Versaillcs.  1796  saw  him  Judge  of  Com- 
mon Pleas,  and  in  1803  and  1805  he  was  elected  to  Congress.  His 
wife  was  Mary  Penn  Allen,  by  whom  he  had  children. 

From  Robert  Cambridge  came  John  Swift  [1785],  Johnston, 
who  married  his  kinswoman  Sylvia  Livingston,  Robert  Cambridge 
11.,  Robert  Cambridge  111.,  Robert  Cambridge  IV.,  John  Griswold, 
Johnston  11.,  Henry  W.,  and  Louis. 

From  John,  the  last  Lord  of  the  Manor,  known  as  John  of  Oak 
Hill,  come  Herman  and  Cornelia,  who  married  Clermont  Living- 
ston.   The  Oak  Hill  mansion  is  now  in  the  possession  of  John 
Henry,  a  grandson  of  Herman  of  Oak  Hill. 
Lieut.-  From  Philip  come  Walter  and  Edward  Philip.    The 

Governor       latter  was  a  leading  citizen  of  Columbia  County,  who 
was  elected  Lieutenant-Governor  in  1830.    His  descend- 
ants included  Philip  Jr.,  Henry,  and  Philip  VI. 

William,  the  war-Governor,  had  one  distinguished  son, 
Brockholst  [1757].  He  entered  Princeton,  but  left  college  to  go 
Lieut.-coionei  'Hto  the  army,  where  he  rose  to  be  a  lieutenant- 
Brockhoist  colonel.  He  became  private  secretary  to  John  Jay, 
studied  law,  and  was  a  member  of  the  New  York  bar.  In  1802,  he 
was  Judge  of  the  New  York  Supreme  Court,  and  in  1806  was  made 
a  Justice  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  by  President  Jeffer- 
son.   He  was  married  thrice  and  had  many  children.     His  oldest 


•'  i| 


llvlngston  13 

son  was  Hon.  Carroll,  a  merchant  and  financier,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  Columbia  (1822). 

His  present  representative  is  Charles  Carroll. 

Of  Gilbert,  the  most  distinguished  descendant  was  his  grand- 
son, the  Rev.  John  Henry  [1746],  who  was  graduated  from  Yale 
in  1762,  and  took  up  the  study  of  law.  He  went  as  far  Reverend 
as  the  limited  opportunities  of  the  colonies  would  per-  J°''"  "^'"^ 
mit,  and  then  crossed  the  sea  and  entered  the  University  of 
Utrecht.  Here  a  change  came  over  his  ambition,  and  after  his  law 
course  he  took  up  theology,  and  received  the  university  degree 
and  ordination  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  He  returned  to 
New  York  in  1770,  becoming  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Church  at  the 
corner  of  Fulton  and  William  Streets,  which  office  he  held  until 
1810.  During  this  period  he  was  made  a  professor  of  theology  by 
the  General  Synod,  and  in  1807  President  of  Queens,  now  Rutgers, 
College  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  During  the  Revolution  he  was 
an  enthusiastic  rebel,  and  was  ready  to  pray  and  to  fight  at  all 
hours.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  first  missionary  society 
in  New  York,  Regent  of  the  State  University,  and  in  his  later 
years  was  universally  known  as  "the  father  of  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church  in  America." 

In  the  fourth  generation,  the  Clermont  branch  rose  to  the 
head.  They  seem  to  have  inherited  and  to  have  added  to  the 
legal  and  intellectual  talents  of  their  father,  "Judge  Robert,"  and 
their  grandsire,  Robert  of  Clermont.  The  two  greatest  were 
Robert  R.,  the  Chancellor,  and  Edward,  the  jurist.  chancellor 
Robert  R.  [1746]  was  graduated  from  Columbia  in  Rohen 

1764,  and  studied  law  under  William  Smith,  the  historian,  and  his 
cousin,  William  Livingston,  of  New  Jersey.  After  admission  to 
the  bar  he  became  a  partner  of  John  Jay.  He  was  a  brilliant  lawyer, 
and  was  made  Recorder  of  the  city  of  New  York,  relinquishing 
this  office,  in  1775,  to  become  a  delegate  to  Congress.  He  was 
one  of  the  live  who  drafted  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
was  prevented  from  signing  by  being  called  away  to  take  part  in 
the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York.  In  1776,  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Provincial  Convention  which  changed  the  title  of  the 


14  Xivtnoston 

colony  to  the  State  of  New  York,  and  was  made  a  member  of  the 
committee  which  drew  up  the  first  State  constitution.  He  was 
made  Chancellor,  and  held  that  honorable  office  from  1777  to 
1801.  From  1781  to  1783  he  served  as  United  States  Secretary 
of  Foreign  Affairs.  He  administered  the  oath  of  office  to  George 
Washington  at  the  City  Hall,  which  then  occupied  the  site  of  the 
present  Sub-Treasury  at  Wall  and  Nassau  streets.  When  the 
New  York  Convention  adopted  the  Federal  Constitution,  he  was 
its  chief  advocate. 

In  1801,  the  Government  appointed  him  Minister  Plenipoten- 
tiary to  France,  where  he  negotiated  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to 
the  United  States  as  well  as  the  settlement  of  the  French  claims. 
It  was  while  abroad  that  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Robert 
Fulton,  with  whom  he  formed  a  quasi-partnership  for  the  develop- 
ment of  steam  navigation,  in  which  he  had  already  done  much 
hard  work.  His  capital  built  the  Clermont,  the  first  steamboat  in 
the  New  World,  which  was  named  after  his  family  home.  His 
other  public  services  would  fill  a  volume  :  he  was  prominent  in 
the  construction  of  the  canal  system  of  New  York  State,  in  adjust- 
ing the  eastern  boundary  which  gave  the  State  of  Vermont  to  the 
Union,  and  in  establishing  the  American  Academy  of  Fine  Arts, 
which  is  now  the  National  Academy  of  Design.  He  contrib- 
uted to  agricultural  literature  and  was  noted  as  an  authority  upon 
the  subject.  So  great  was  his  talent  as  an  advocate  that  Franklin 
called  him  "  the  Cicero  of  America."  When  Congress  asked  each 
State  of  the  Union  to  place  the  statues  of  two  of  its  prominent 
citizens  in  the  Capitol,  he  and  George  Clinton  were  selected  for 
the  high  honor  by  the  Empire  State. 

His  homestead  at  Clermont  is  still  in  the  possession  of  his 
grandson,  Clermont. 

Edward,  the  jurist  [1764],  was  graduated  from  Princeton  in 
1 78 1,  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  upon  attaining  his 
majority.  He  built  up  a  large  practice,  made  quite  a  fortune  in 
ten  years,  and  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1794,  1796,  and  1798. 
There  was  considerable  opposition  to  the  policy  of  Washington's 
Cabinet  at  one  time,  and  among  its  leaders  he,  Madison,  and 


Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston 


1Llvln{}0ton  1 5 

Gallatin  were  the  foremost.  His  were  the  resolutions  which 
demanded  copies  of  the  papers  given  to  John  Jay  in  respect  to  the 
treaty  with  Great  Britain.  Washington,  backed  by  the  unani- 
mous vote  of  his  Cabinet,  declined,  and  for  a  few  days  there  was 
talk  of  a  conflict  between  the  two  branches  of  the  Government. 
In  1801,  the  Government  made  him  United  States  Attorney 
for  the  District  of  "New  York,  and  the  people  elected  him  Mayor. 
During  his  term  of  office  the  present  City  Hall  was  built,  the 
front  and  sides  being  of  white  marble,  while  the  back  was  of 
cheap  brown-stone,  since  "it  would  be  out  of  sight  to  all  the 
world." 

When  the  yellow  fever  broke  out  in  1803,  and  all  who  could 
afford  it  deserted  the  city,  he  remained  at  his  post,  fighting  the 
epidemic,  and  finally  contracting  the  disease.  During  his  illness 
he  was  robbed  and  almost  ruined  by  his  confidential  agent  and 
was  compelled  to  start  life  anew.  He  conveyed  all  his  property 
to  a  trustee  for  the  payment  of  his  debts,  and  on  the  expiration  of 
his  term  of  office  as  mayor  went  to  New  Orleans,  which  was 
then  an  American  city,  where  he  opened  a  law  office  in  order 
to  retrieve  his  wealth.  With  great  shrewdness,  he  accepted  land 
instead  of  money  for  his  fees,  and  thus  established  the  beginnings 
of  a  new  fortune. 

Finding  the  law  of  the  new  State  a  confused  muddle  of  English 
common  law,  French  code,  and  Spanish  law,  he  drew  up  a  code  of 
procedure,  of  which  a  part  in  1805  was  adopted  by  the  Louisiana 
Legislature.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  first  great  code  ever 
drawn  up  in  an  English-speaking  community,  and  in  its  final  form 
has  been  held  up  to  the  admiration  of  the  world  by  the  great 
jurists  of  every  land,  it  began  a  new  era  in  American  jurispru- 
dence. Edward  was  sent  to  Congress  three  times  from  Louisiana 
and  in  1824  finished  his  civil  code,  which  completed  the  codifica- 
tion of  the  State  law.  In  1826,  he  paid  off  the  last  of  his  debts, 
and  in  1829  was  elected  United  States  Senator  from  Louisiana.  In 
183 1,  he  was  made  Secretary  of  State,  and  in  1833,  Minister  to 
France.  A  patriot,  a  statesman,  a  scholar,  and  a  diplomat,  his 
claim  to  a  high  place  will  be  his  record  as  a  jurist. 


1 6  Xlvlngston 

A  brother  of  Edward,  Henry  Beekman  [1750],  raised  a  com- 
pany of  soldiers  in  177s,  and  took  part  in  the  invasion  of  Canada. 

For  his  valor  he  received  a  sword  of  honor  from  Con- 
Major-Gen.  .  r-v1  •!•     r'    1  .^1 

Henry  gress.     He  was  aide  to  General  Philip  Schuyler,  Colonel 

Beekman       ^^  ^j^^  p^|^j|.^j^  ^^^  york,  aide  to  Lafayette  in  Rhode 

Island,  and  an  officer  at  Valley  Forge.  He  served  in  the  War  of 
1812,  where  he  rose  to  be  a  major-general.  He  married  Ann 
Home  Shippen,  with  whom  he  lived  happily  many  years  in  the 
Beekman  mansion  at  Rhinebeck,  which  he  inherited  from  his 
mother. 

Among  others  who  have  added  distinction  to  the  family  name 
is  John  William,  a  descendant  of  John,  the  third  son  of  the  second 
,  ^  ,„.„.      Lord  of  the  Manor  [1804].     His  father  was  Dr.  William 

John  WiUiara  *-         ^-^ 

the  Admiral  Turk,  SLirgeon  in  the  United  States  Navy,  and  his 
mother  Eliza  Livingston,  in  1843,  the  Legislature  sanctioned 
his  assumption  of  his  mother's  name.  He  entered  the  navy  in 
1824,  served  in  the  war  with  the  Mediterranean  pirates,  in  the  war 
of  Mexico,  and  during  the  great  civil  conflict.  In  1868,  he  was 
commissioned  Rear-Admiral,  and  placed  upon  the  retired  list,  after 
which  he  made  his  home  in  New  York  City. 

Colonel  James  [1747]  was  a  son  of  John  and  grandson  of 

Robert  the  nephew.     He  served  in  the  Revolution,  where  he 

proved  a  faithful  and  efficient  soldier,  to  whom  Wash- 

Col.  James 

ington  expressed  his  gratification  that  the  post  was 
in  the  hands  of  an  officer  so  devoted  as  yourself  to  the  cause  of 
your  country."  The  reference  is  to  Stony  Point,  and  the  time  the 
treason  of  Benedict  Arnold. 

With  him  in  the  same  command,  during  the  first  part  of 
the  conflict,  were  his  fearless  brothers,  Lieutenant -Colonel 
Lieut.-coi.  Richard  and  Captain  Abraham.  A  son  of  the  last 
Richard  named  was  Captain  John  P.,  who  served  with  distinc- 
tion in  the  War  of  1812. 

Colonel  James  married  Elizabeth  Simpson,  a  belle  of  Montreal, 
Elizabeth  by  whom  he  had  issue.  His  daughter  Margaret  became 
cady  Stanton  tj^g  ^jfg  ^f  j^^jgg  D^xniel  Cady  of  New  York,  and  the 
child  of  this   union,   Elizabeth   [1815],  became  Mrs.    Elizabeth 


(/5     ^^ 


> 


5    bc    i 


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.=     E 


I 


Xivingston  17 

Cady  Stanton,  the  most  eminent  woman-reformer  of  the  nineteenth 
century. 

From  Robert,  the  nephew  of  the  first  Lord  of  the  Manor, 
comes  a  long  and  important  branch,  which  includes  James,  John, 
Robert,  James  II.,  Maturin,  Maturin  II.,  and  is  represented  to-day 
by  Mrs.  Cavendish-Bentinck  and  Mrs.  Ogden  Mills. 

in  point  of  numbers,  the  Livingstons  are  almost  unrivalled. 
They  have  been  marked  by  high  patriotism,  a  warm  love  for 
humanity,  and  a  progressive  spirit,  which  at  times  amounted  to 
radicalism.  Through  their  blood  runs  the  hereditary  Scotch  ten- 
dency towards  strong  feelings  and  forcible  action.  They  have 
been  characterized  by  great  physical  and  mental  vitality,  and, 
unlike  many  successful  families,  have  not  borne  fruit  and  then 
withered  away.  The  old  Scotch  character  has  reappeared  in 
many  ways.  They  have  been  strong  friends — and  strong  foes, — 
and  have  never  feared  to  express  their  convictions  or  to  beard 
authority  in  the  cause  of  right.  The  clannish  spirit  has  expressed 
itself  in  an  intense  family  feeling,  which  has  caused  each  to  help 
all  relatives  in  trouble,  and  has  gone  so  far  as  to  cause  many  inter- 
marriages. To  this  feeling  may  be  ascribed  the  care  with  which 
they  have  preserved  memorials  and  souvenirs  of  their  ancestors, 
and  the  self-sacrifice  displayed  whenever  called  upon  to  serve  the 
family,  the  State,  and  the  nation. 


ni!)orri8 


ig 


t 


.^lii 


Viiv'A'^^ 


Lewis  Morris 
Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 


1 


XXIII 


MORRIS 


^EW    YORK    has   been    cosmopolitan 
from  its  first  settlement.     With  the 
Knickerbockers,  or  Dutch,  came  over 
Huguenots  and  subjects  of  the  British 
Crown.     These   were   speedily    fol- 
lowed by  Germans,   West  Indians, 
and  New  Englanders.    To  this  early 
mixing  of  types  and  bloods  may  be 
ascribed   the    characteristics   of  the 
New  Yorker  which  have  made  him 
distinct  from   the   citizen    of   every 
other  great  metropolis.    Just  as  the 
Dutch  were  made  up  of  people  from  the  various  provinces  of 
Holland,  so  the  British  contingent  was  drawn  from  the  different 
types  which  constitute  the  population  of  the  United  Kingdom. 

As  if  to  preserve  a  spiritual  equilibrium,  the  solid  Englishman 
was  offset  by  the  impetuous  Scotchman  and  the  strong  and  in- 
domitable Welshman.  To  the  little  principality  of  Wales,  Man- 
hattan owes  many  of  its  most  distinguished  citizens.  Of  these, 
the  head  and  front  was  the  Morris  family,  which  for  more  than 
two  centuries  has  been  in  the  foreground  of  municipal,  state,  and 
national  activity.  From  a  genealogical  as  well  as  an  historical 
viewpoint,  its  career  in  both  the  Old  World  and  the  New  has 
been  of  deep  interest.  Long  before  the  Land  of  the  Silures  had 
become  an  appanage  of  the  British  Crown,  it  took  a  leading  part 


22  flDorrts 

in  the  councils  of  the  little  nation.  Its  very  name  is  derived  from 
Maur-Rhys,  the  Great  Rhys,  who  was  a  Prince  of  Guintland  (now 
embodied  in  Monmouthshire)  in  the  latter  part  of  the  twelfth 
century.  Maur  is  the  Cymric  for  great,  and  was  prefixed  to  the 
name  qualified,  unlike  the  Romance  practice  of  suffixing,  as  ex- 
emplified in  Charle-Magne.  It  was  not  until  the  seventeenth 
century  that  the  present  orthography  was  adopted. 

The  first  Maur-Rhys  was  one  of  the  conspicuous  figures  in 
British  history.  He  was  the  neighbor  and  friend  of  Strong-Bow, 
Earl  of  Striguill,  and,  with  that  reckless  warrior,  invaded  Southern 
Ireland,  and  conquered  all  the  country  around  Waterford.  The 
two  adventurers  might  have  become  great  Irish  princes,  but 
Henry  11.,  their  monarch,  was  a  very  thrifty  and  diplomatic  char- 
acter, who  rewarded  their  prowess  by  giving  them  complimentary 
letters  and  titles,  but  added  their  conquests  to  the  Crown  posses- 
sions. The  descendants  of  Maur-Rhys  were  proud  and  fierce 
warriors  in  the  Plantagenet  period,  when  they  enjoyed  great  pros- 
perity. Their  star  changed  in  the  fifteenth  century,  during  the 
wars  of  York  and  Lancaster,  in  which  they  lost  much  of  their 
property,  and  at  one  time  were  in  danger  of  extermination  by 
political  foes.  During  this  period  one  of  their  princesses,  a  woman 
of  rare  beauty,  married  the  Duke  of  Saxony,  from  v/hom  was 
descended  the  Elector  of  Saxony. 

In  the  reign  of  the  Stuarts,  ill-fortune  again  overtook  them. 
They  incurred  the  displeasure  of  King  James,  and  their  estates 
were  confiscated  by  his  son,  Charles  1.  At  that  time  the  heads 
of  the  house  were  three  brothers,  Lewis,  William,  and  Richard. 
William,  after  a  vain  struggle,  determined  to  emigrate  to  the  New 
World.  He  sold  his  property,  and  giving  a  moiety  to  his  son 
John,  set  sail  for  the  American  plantations.     He  died  upon  the 

.  ,  ■     voyage.     His  son  John  was  of  a  more  adventurous 

Captain  John  --     '-> 

disposition.  He  remained  in  Wales,  trying  to  regain 
his  ancestral  lands,  and  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  was  among 
the  first  to  join  the  Parliamentary  army,  in  which  in  1651  he  was 
a  captain,  in  1652,  he  went  with  a  British  expedition  to  Bar- 
badoes,  which  was  conquered  and  added  to  the  British  kingdom. 


flDorris  23 

He  received  grants  of  land  in  the  new  possessions  and  increased 
his  fortune  hy  marrying  an  heiress.  This  was  the  beginning  of 
the  West-hidian  branch  of  the  family. 

William's  brothers,  Lewis  and  Richard,  remained  at  home. 
They  also  entered  the  Parliamentary  service,  the  former  raising  a 
regiment  at  his  own  expense,  from  which  he  gained  coionei 
the  title  of  colonel.    Richard  was  a  captain  in  this  regi-  ^^^'* 

ment,  and  afterwards  lieutenant-colonel.  Notwithstanding  the 
result  of  the  war,  they  did  not  recover  their  confiscated  estates, 
Cromwell  paying  them  handsome  indemnities  instead.  captain 
The  two  men  were  among  the  bravest  of  Cromwell's  Richard 
warriors.  Their  most  famous  exploit  was  the  capture  of  Chep- 
stow Castle,  which  they  carried  by  fire  and  sword.  From  this 
feat  they  took  as  a  crest  a  castle  in  flames  on  a  rock,  with  the 
motto,  Tandem  vincitur.  The  uncles  kept  up  a  correspondence 
with  their  nephew  John,  and  upon  the  latter's  advice  Lewis 
bought  an  estate  in  Barbadoes.  He  still  yearned  for  the  excite- 
ment of  war,  and  urged  Cromwell  to  attack  Spain  in  the  West 
Indies.  He  was  apparently  unsuccessful,  because  he  sailed  for 
his  plantations  as  a  settler  and  not  a  soldier.  His  action  seems 
to  have  been  a  ruse  of  some  sort,  as  he  had  scarcely  arrived  in  his 
new  home  when  Cromwell  organized  an  expedition  to  attack 
Hispaniola  (now  Hayti  and  San  Domingo),  and  with  the  an- 
nouncement came  a  commission  for  Colonel  Lewis  Morris.  For 
his  gallantry  in  this  little  war,  the  Colonel  received  many  pressing 
invitations  to  return  to  England,  and,  just  before  the  Restoration, 
had  begun  to  arrange  for  the  voyage.  The  advent  of  Charles  II. 
changed  his  plans.  Instead  of  returning,  he  sent  post-haste  for 
his  brother  Richard,  who  came  out  by  the  next  sailing  vessel. 
Subsequent  events  showed  the  wisdom  of  the  course.  The  two 
brothers  had  made  many  enemies  during  the  wars,  and  proceed- 
ings had  been  begun  against  them,  when  Richard  left  home  for- 
ever. There  were  many  ex-Parliamentarians  in  Barbadoes,  so 
that  Richard  had  a  hearty  welcome  when  he  arrived.  Here  he 
met,  wooed,  and  won  Sarah  Pole,  an  heiress  and  belle.  He  re- 
mained in  Barbadoes  several  years,  attending  to  his  brother's  estate 


24  nDorrl0 

and  the  one  he  had  secured  by  marriage.  The  brothers  were 
dissatisfied  with  the  slow  life  of  the  West  Indies,  and  determined 
upon  a  change.  In  pursuance  of  this,  Richard  in  1668  sailed  for 
New  York.  He  took  with  him  a  large  amount  of  money,  which 
he  invested  sagaciously  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey  real  estate 
shortly  after  his  arrival. 

The  New  York  property  consisted  of  three  thousand  odd  acres 
near  the  Harlem,  which  he  named  Bronxland  from  the  River  Bronx 
lying  to  its  north.  This  purchase  made  Richard  Morris  one  of  the 
largest  landed  proprietors  in  Westchester  County.  In  1671,  Rich- 
,     .  „  ,^    ard  had  a  son  whom  he  named  Lewis,  after  the  great 

Lewis  II.  the  ° 

Chief  Justice  Colonel.  Captain  Richard  was  very  active  in  public 
and  Governor  ^|-jVjjj.g  ^^^^  served  upon  many  bodies  during  the  admin- 
istrations of  Lovelace,  Evertse,  and  Colve.  He  died  suddenly 
about  1675.  There  must  have  been  a  deep  love  between  the  two 
brothers,  because  the  death  disclosed  a  singular  contract  between 
them  to  the  effect  that  if  Captain  Richard  died  Colonel  Lewis 
would  come  on  and  become  a  father  to  the  former's  child  or  chil- 
dren. The  Colonel  was  true  to  his  word.  When  the  news  reached 
him  of  his  brother's  death,  he  disposed  of  most  of  his  estates  in 
Barbadoes  and  came  on  to  New  York  (1676).  In  October  of  that 
year  he  invested  his  wealth  in  New  Jersey  property,  purchasing 
3=i4o  acres  in  East  Jersey,  which  he  named  Tinton,  and  another 
tract  in  the  same  neighborhood.  He  called  the  entire  territory 
Monmouth,  and  from  this  name  Monmouth  County  took  its  title. 
It  seems  quite  odd  that  the  English  shire  which  had  produced 
so  many  fearless  opponents  to  the  British  Crown  in  the  days  of 
Cromwell  should  give  its  name  to  an  American  county  on  which 
again  the  British  Crown  was  to  meet  opposition  and  defeat.  The 
first  opponents  transported  the  name  across  the  sea,  and  in  the 
course  of  years  their  descendants  renewed  the  wars  of  a  previous 
century. 

Colonel  Lewis  was  indefatigable  in  all  business  matters.  He 
attended  to  his  own  estate  and  to  that  of  his  nephew,  Lewis  II. 
He  served  upon  the  staff  of  Governor  Andros  and  engaged  in 
many  private  enterprises.    One  of  these  was  the  establishment 


flDorrls  25 

of  iron  works  in  New  Jersey,  which  for  many  years  turned  out 
an  excellent  grade  of  pig  iron.  He  died  in  1691  without  issue, 
leaving  his  great  estate  to  his  nephew. 

The  bluff  soldier  had  a  warm  heart  and  took  pleasure  in 
charitable  and  religious  work.  His  contributions  were  many,  and 
when  he  found  that  St.  Peter's  Church  in  Westchester  had  no 
bell,  he  presented  a  handsome  one  to  it,  which  is  still  extant. 
Upon  its  lip  in  ancient  lettering  is  the  inscription  :  "  Colonel  Lewis 
Morris,  1677." 

Lewis  11.,  better  known  as  Lewis  the  Chief  Justice,  is  one  of 
the  most  romantic  characters  in  colonial  history.  He  was  a 
dreamer  and  yet  sternly  practical,  a  born  soldier,  and  yet  a  good 
business  man  ;  an  able  judge,  but  one  who  never  seemed  to  read 
or  study  precedents  ;  ambitious,  and  yet  scornful  of  the  opinions 
of  those  in  authority  ;  a  fountain  of  fun  and  humor,  and  yet  so 
vitriolic  in  his  bitterness  as  to  keep  his  enemies  in  perpetual  sus- 
pense ;  and,  rarest  of  all,  a  successful  politician,  who  despised  tact 
and  placating,  and  depended  entirely  upon  truth  and  even  brus- 
querie.  His  uncle.  Colonel  Lewis,  became  his  guardian  when  he 
was  five  years  old,  and  the  iron-willed  soldier  soon  found  that  the 
boy  was  a  second  edition  of  himself.  They  played  a  game  of 
cross-purposes  which  even  after  two  centuries  sounds  like  a  bit 
of  delicious  comedy.  The  uncle  secured  a  tutor,  a  pious  Quaker, 
whose  ambition  was  to  become  an  Indian  missionary.  The  boy 
objected  to  the  tutor  and  discharged  him.  The  uncle  reinstated 
him.  The  boy  attempted  to  chastise  the  tutor,  and  was  roundly 
flogged  by  the  uncle. 

Nothing  discouraged,  the  youngster  immediately  started  a 
new  plan  of  campaign.  He  found  out  the  Quaker's  aspirations, 
and  then  studied  his  habits.  He  soon  learned  that  the  pious 
pedagogue  was  in  the  habit  of  praying  every  day  at  a  stated  hour 
beneath  a  certain  tree.  The  boy  went  there  an  hour  ahead  of  the 
expected  time,  climbed  the  tree,  and  hid  himself  in  the  thick  foli- 
age. As  he  expected,  the  teacher  appeared,  knelt,  and,  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  times,  wrestled  with  the  Lord.  Finally, 
when  he  paused  for  lack  of  breath,  the  boy  piped  out  in  a 


26  flDorrle 

simulated  voice:  "  Hugh  Copperthwaite  !  Hugh  Copperthwaite !  " 
The  simple-minded  Quaker  answered  :  "  Here  am  I,  Lord.  What 
wouldst  thou  with  me  ?  "  There  was  a  pause,  and  then  from  the 
depth  of  the  leaves  came  the  command  in  the  solemn  words: 
"Go,  preach  my  Gospel  to  the  Mohawks,  thou  true  and  faithful 
servant  ! " 

The  tutor  went  back  to  the  house,  offered  his  resignation,  and 
had  packed  his  trunks  for  his  departure,  when  the  trick  was  be- 
trayed. There  was  a  stormy  scene,  and  the  old  Colonel  adminis- 
tered the  rod  in  a  way  that  would  have  pleased  King  Solomon. 
The  next  morning  there  was  no  boy  around  the  place.  The 
Colonel  gave  himself  no  uneasiness,  believing  that  his  nephew 
had  stayed  out  over-night  in  the  woods,  or  had  gone  to  a  neigh- 
bor's and  would  be  back  in  a  day  or  two.  A  week  passed  with 
no  news  of  the  youth.  Inquiries  were  instituted,  and  it  was  found 
that  he  had  run  away  to  Virginia.  Here  he  stayed  some  time, 
and  then  took  ship  and  went  to  the  West  Indies.  He  earned  a 
poor  subsistence  by  serving  as  a  scrivener.  Even  then  he  wrote 
a  fine  hand,  and  spelled  with  an  accuracy  that  was  uncommon  in 
those  years.  But  he  tired  of  the  work,  and  sighed  for  home.  He 
managed  to  get  to  New  York,  where  the  Colonel  received  him 
with  open  arms.  There  was  a  council  of  war  between  the  two, 
which  must  have  been  unique.  The  Colonel  confessed  that  he 
could  not  govern  his  nephew,  and  then  declared  that,  as  the  latter 
had  to  be  governed  in  order  to  make  him  a  man,  the  only  thing 
left  was  to  marry  him  off  as  quickly  as  possible.  He  accord- 
ingly brought  about  the  union  of  his  ward  with  Isabella,  daughter 
of  Sir  James  Graham,  when  the  former  was  but  twenty  years 
of  age. 

The  marriage  had  the  desired  effect.  Lewis  II.  became  a 
serious  man  and  entered  upon  a  public  career  immediately.  He  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Governor's  Council  and  soon  afterwards 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  East  Jersey.  In  1697,  he 
added  lands  to  his  estate  in  Bronxland,  and  the  same  year  erected 
it  into  a  Lordship  or  Manor,  called  Morrisania.  The  charter  was 
very  liberal,  giving  him  the  right  to  deodands,  wrecks,  estrays, 


Robert  Hunter  Morris 

Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  i-j'^^ 


t<i/-^.,il;ii-i7/'if.'>r»-",i^'-J"Sii:>.'*'''/:.''i 


"  Old  Morrisania,"  New  York 

Gouverneur  Morris's  Residence 


HDorris  27 

flotsam,  and  jetsam.  This  charter  made  the  Morris  family  one  of 
the  tlve  which  possessed  manorial  estates  in  Westchester  County. 
In  1700,  he  was  made  President  of  the  Governor's  Council,  and  two 
years  afterwards,  Governor  of  New  Jersey. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  Cornbury's  Council,  and  while 
there  became  champion  of  the  people's  cause  against  the  tyranny 
of  the  Governor.  In  1707,  he  was  sent  to  the  General  Assembly, 
where  he  was  soon  the  leader  of  that  body.  In  1718,  he  was 
made  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  "New  York,  being  the 
first  native  to  hold  the  office.  In  1734,  he  made  a  voyage  to  Eng- 
land, where  he  laid  the  grievances  of  New  York  before  the  Crown. 
On  his  return  he  advocated  the  separation  of  New  York  from  New 
Jersey,  which  was  afterwards  accomplished.  In  1738,  New  Jersey 
became  a  province  or  State,  with  Morris  as  Governor. 

He  did  not  care  for  the  position,  but  accepted  it  as  a  matter  of 
principle.  It  involved  leaving  his  beautiful  home  in  Morrisania 
and  renting  a  farm  near  Trenton.  His  administration  was  very 
successful  and  was  marked  by  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
agricultural  and  industrial  conditions  of  the  commonwealth.  He 
was  one  of  the  creators  of  the  Council  of  Colonial  Governors, 
which  devised  plans  of  offence  and  defence  against  the  French  and 
Indians,  and  kept  a  courier  service  between  his  State,  Pennsyl- 
vania, New  York,  and  Connecticut.  New  Jersey  was  poor,  com- 
pared with  New  York,  and  to  prevent  increasing  the  burden  of  the 
taxpayers,  the  big-hearted  Governor  defrayed  all  these  extra  ex- 
penses, a  series  of  actions  in  full  keeping  with  what  he  had  done 
in  preceding  years,  when  he  served  as  Chief  Justice  without  salary. 
He  was  Governor  for  eight  years  when  he  died  at  the  ripe  age 
of  seventy-five. 

Almost  fifty-five  years  of  his  life  were  passed  in  public  affairs. 
The  records  of  the  time  are  filled  with  odd  incidents  illustrating 
his  many-sided  character.  When  they  were  building  Trinity 
Church  he  donated  the  timber  and  sent  the  best  logs  which'  he 
could  secure,  many  of  them  being  massive  enough  for  a  building 
three  times  the  size  of  the  church.  He  did  this,  according  to 
tradition,  because  the  logs  were  not  for  man's  service,  but  for  the 


28  flDorrie 

Lord's.  The  trustees  were  so  pleased  with  his  generous  gift  that 
they  voted  a  square  pew  to  him  and  his  family,  which,  in  the 
social  code  of  those  days,  was  the  highest  compliment  that  could 
be  paid  to  a  citizen. 

The  directions  he  left  as  to  his  funeral  were  worthy  of  a  Norse 
Viking.  He  desired  to  be  buried  at  Morrisania  in  a  plain  coffin, 
without  ostentation,  and  with  no  funeral  sermon;  but  "  neverthe- 
less, if  any  clergyman,  no  matter  the  denomination,  desired  to 
make  a  few  remarks  over  the  grave,  the  privilege  should  be  ac- 
corded as  he  had  no  objection."  Neither,  he  declared,  "did  he 
wish  that  any  mourning  rings  or  mourning  scarfs  should  be  given, 
or  that  any  mourning  should  be  worn  for  him,"  saying  in  his  will, 
"I  die  when  I  shall  die,  and  no  one  ought  to  mourn  because  I 
do  so." 

He  was  an  excellent  husband  and  father,  and  in  his  wife  had 
an  invaluable  partner  and  helpmeet.  There  were  eight  children 
by  the  marriage,  two  sons  and  six  daughters.  The  oldest  son  was 
Lewis  ill.,  and  the  other  Robert  Hunter.  The  former  succeeded 
to  the  great  New  York  estate  of  Morrisania,  and  the  latter  to  the 
mansion  and  lands  at  Tinton,  Monmouth  County,  N.  J.  Both  of 
these  estates  had  been  managed  with  admirable  business  ability  by 
the  Governor,  so  that  the  sons  began  life  much  richer  than  did 
their  distinguished  father. 

The  third  generation  continued   the  achievements  of  the 

second,  the  two  sons  proving  talented  men  of  affairs.     Lewis  111., 

or  Lewis,  Jr.  [1698],  entered  public  life  at  the  age  of 

Judge  Lewis  »    J        L       /    J)  F  & 

twenty-four,  when  he  became  a  member  of  Governor 
Burnet's  Council.  In  1737,  he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  New 
York  Provincial  Assembly,  and  was  returned  to  the  Twenty- 
second,  Twenty-third,  Twenty-fourth,  and  Twenty-fifth  Provin- 
cial Assemblies,  closing  his  service  in  1750.  A  good  speaker  and 
parliamentarian,  with  an  unusual  talent  for  repartee  and  humor, 
he  was  a  commanding  personality  in  the  Assembly.  He  was  im- 
pulsive, like  his  father,  but,  unlike  the  latter,  had  rare  suavity  and 
tact.  His  fame,  however,  rests  upon  his  judicial  rather  than  upon 
his  legislative  career.     He  was  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty, 


Mrs.  Lewis  Morris  III. 
(Katrintje  Staats) 


flDorri0  29 

which  at  that  time  had  jurisdiction  over  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
and  Connecticut.  To  the  bench  he  brought  great  learning  and 
remarkable  dignity.  His  decisions  were  sound,  and  his  adminis- 
tration of  justice  reflected  credit  upon  both  himself  and  his  court. 
There  was  a  grim  kind  of  merriment  in  his  nature,  which  ex- 
pressed itself  often  in  fantastic  forms. 

At  one  time  he  astonished  people  by  an  extraordinary  head- 
dress. Instead  of  the  hat  and  the  bag-wig  of  the  period,  he  wore 
a  loon-skin  with  all  its  feathers.  The  bird  was  of  goodly  size,  and 
the  massive  plumage  covered  the  Judge's  head  in  a  way  that 
aroused  attention  wherever  he  went.  He  wore  this  queer  con- 
trivance for  a  long  time,  displaying  it  at  social  functions  as  well  as 
in  his  office  and  the  chambers  of  his  court.  Whether  it  was  in- 
tended as  a  practical  satire  upon  the  elaborate  hair-dressing  of  the 
fashionables  of  that  age,  or  whether  it  was  a  piece  of  nonsensical 
humor,  is  undetermined.  The  judge  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Katrintje  Staats,  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Staats,  by 
whom  he  had  three  sons:  Lewis  IV.  [1726],  the  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  Staats  Long  [1728],  and  Richard 
[1730].  His  second  wife  was  Sarah  Gouverneur,  daughter  of 
Nicholas  Gouverneur,   by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Gouverneur 

[1752]. 

Robert  Hunter,  the  second  son  of  Lewis  II.,  the  Chief  Justice, 
enjoyed  an  equally  brilliant  career.  In  early  manhood  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Council,  thereafter  Chief  Justice  of  New  Governor 
Jersey,  and  in  1754  Governor  of  Pennsylvania.    Thus  Robert 

in  two  generations  the  family  had  filled  two  guberna- 
torial chairs  and  three  high  places  upon  the  bench.    This  is  a 
record  of  which  they  may  well  be  proud.    To  Robert  Hunter, 
Franklin  refers  in  friendly  terms  in  his  autobiography,  throwing  a 
pleasant  side-light  upon  the  Morris  character : 

"In  my  journey  to  Boston  this  year  (1754)  I  met  at  New 
York  our  new  Governor,  Mr.  Morris,  just  arrived  from  England, 
with  whom  1  had  been  before  intimately  acquainted.  Mr.  Morris 
asked  me   if  I  thought  he  '  must  expect  as  uncomfortable  an 


30  riDorrls 

administration  as  Governor  Hamilton,  his  predecessor,  had  had.' 
1  said,  'No;  you  may  on  the  contrary  have  a  very  comfortable 
one,  if  you  will  only  take  care  not  to  enter  into  any  dispute  with 
the  Assembly.'  'My  dear  friend,'  said  he,  pleasantly,  'how  can 
you  advise  my  avoiding  disputes  ?  You  know  1  love  disputing. 
It  is  one  of  my  greatest  pleasures.  However,  to  show  the  regard 
I  have  for  your  counsels,  1  promise  you  I  will  if  possible  avoid 
them.'  He  had  some  reason  for  loving  to  dispute,  being  eloquent 
and  an  acute  sophist,  and  therefore  generally  successful  in  argu- 
mentative conversation.  He  had  been  brought  up  to  it  from  a 
boy,  his  father,  as  1  have  heard,  accustoming  his  children  to  dis- 
pute with  one  another  for  his  diversion  while  talking  at  the  table 
after  dinner." 

Later  on,  when  Franklin  returned  to  his  seat  in  the  Assembly, 
he  was  put  on  every  committee  for  answering  the  Governor's 
speeches  and  messages.  The  communications  "on  both  sides," 
he  says,  "were  sometimes  very  abusive.  I  might  imagine  that, 
as  he  knew  I  wrote  for  the  Assembly,  should  we  meet,  we  could 
hardly  avoid  cutting  throats;  but  he  was  so  good-natured  a  man 
that  no  personal  difference  between  us  was  occasioned  by  the 
contest,  and  we  often  dined  together. 

"One  afternoon  in  the  height  of  this  public  quarrel  we  met  in 
the  street.  '  Franklin,'  said  he,  '  you  must  go  home  with  me  and 
spend  the  evening.  1  am  to  have  some  company  that  you  will 
like,'  and  taking  me  by  the  arm  led  me  to  his  house,  in  gay  con- 
versation after  supper  he  told  us  jokingly  that  he  much  admired 
the  idea  of  Sancho  Panza,  who,  when  it  was  proposed  to  give  him 
a  government,  requested  it  might  be  a  government  of  blacks,  as 
then,  if  he  could  not  agree  with  his  people,  he  might  sell  them." 

Robert  Hunter  died  in  1764  when  dancing  at  a  village  party. 
The  Governor  led  the  dance  with  the  wife  of  the  village  clergy- 
man, and  while  bowing  to  his  partner  expired  without  a  word  or 
groan.     He  never  married,  and  his  estate  went  to  his  brother. 

His  code  of  living  was  quaintly  expressed  in  a  pleasant  jingle 
which  is  treasured  by  the  family. 


Richard  Morris 

Chief  Justice  under  the  Crown 


riDorrls  31 

1  am  neither  high  church,  nor  low  church,  tory  or  whig; 

No  flattering  young  coxcomb,  no  formal  old  prig; 

Not  eternally  talking  or  silently  quaint; 

No  profligate  sinner,  no  pragmatical  saint. 

I  think  freely,  1  own,  yet  1  firmly  believe, 

1  'm  not  vain  of  my  judgment  or  pinned  on  a  sleeve. 

To  lift  truth  from  all  rubbish,  I  '11  do  what  I  can, — 

God  knows  if  1  err  I  'm  a  fallible  man. 

Any  faults  of  my  friends,  I  would  scorn  to  expose 

And  detest  private  scandal,  tho'  cast  on  my  foes. 

When  merit  appears,  though  in  rags,  I  'II  respect  it; 

Will  plead  virtue's  cause  should  the  whole  world  reject  it. 

Cool  reason  I  bow  to,  wherever  't  is  found, 

Rejoice  in  sound  learning  with  modesty  crowned. 

To  no  party  I  'm  slave;  in  no  squabble  1  '11  join; 

Nor  damn  the  opinion  opposing  my  own. 

Length  of  days  I  desire,  yet  at  my  last  breath 

I  hope  to  betray  no  mean  terrors  of  death; 

While  as  to  the  way  after  death  to  be  trod 

I  submit  to  the  will  of  a  merciful  God. 

Lewis  IV.,  or  the  Signer  [1726],  was  graduated  from  Yale  in 
1764,  and  utilized  his  education  by  taking  up  what  we  would  call 
scientific  farming.  In  this  field  he  did  much  commend-  cen.  Lewis 
able  work,  applying  the  latest  ideas  in  European  agri-  t^e  signer 
culture  and  modifying  them  to  suit  American  conditions.  In  1775, 
he  was  sent  from  New  York  to  the  Continental  Congress,  and,  in 
1 776,  he  was  one  of  the  immortal  fifty-six  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  It  was  after  the  great  debate  upon  the  Declara- 
tion, and  just  before  the  signing,  that  he  received  a  letter  from  his 
brother,  Staats  Morris,  who  was  a  general  in  the  British  Army, 
begging  him  not  to  take  so  rash  a  step,  and  to  think  of  the  conse- 
quences. "  Damn  the  consequences;  give  me  the  pen,"  was  the 
reply  of  the  impetuous  Morris. 

He  was  one  of  the  party  when  Franklin  enunciated  a  famous 
bon  mot.  A  delegate  remarked:  "  Gentlemen,  now  that  we  have 
signed  this  document,  we  must  all  hang  together."  Franklin 
replied  quickly:  "  Most  certainly!  if  we  do  not,  we  shall  all  hang 
separately." 


32  flDorris 

Lewis  served  in  the  field  and  afterwards  was  a  valued  and 
industrious  member  of  the  New  York  Legislature,  holding  office  in 
1777  and  1778.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  National  Guard, 
and  rose  to  the  rank  of  a  major-general.  He  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Walton.  Of  his  children,  five  sons  served  in  the  army, 
three  of  them  making  such  brilliant  records  as  to  receive  the  thanks 
of  Congress,  and  one  son  served  commendably  in  the  navy. 

Staats  [1728]  was  educated  at  Yale,  entered  the  British  Army, 
and  through  his  powerful  family  influence  attained  the  rank  of 
staats,  Maj.-  major  when  he  was  thirty.  He  married  the  Duchess 
General  and  of  Gordou,  who  accompauied  him  to  India,  where  he 
distinguished  himself  at  the  siege  of  Pondicherry. 
When  ordered  to  repair  to  America  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Revolution,  he  resigned  his  commission.  The  British  Govern- 
ment, respecting  his  feelings,  appointed  him  major-general,  and 
detailed  him  to  garrison  duty.  In  1796,  he  became  a  general,  and 
in  the  following  year  was  appointed  Governor  of  Quebec.  He 
died  in  1800,  without  issue. 

Richard,  the  third  son  of  Lewis  ill.,  was  graduated  from  Yale 
in  1748  and  took  up  the  study  of  law.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
Richard  the  bar,  where  he  became  known  for  his  wide  legal  read- 
chief  Justice  jpg  jj^  ,^^2,  he  was  made  a  Judge  of  the  Vice-Admi- 
ralty, which  position  he  resigned  in  177=)  to  take  up  the  cause  of 
the  people  against  the  Crown.  Governor  Tryon,  on  receiving  the 
resignation,  requested  Richard  to  remain  in  office  until  quieter  times. 
He  answered  that  "he  could  never  sacrifice  his  principles  to  his 
interests,  and  that  his  office  was  at  the  Governor's  disposal." 

In  1776,  he  was  made  Judge  of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty 
of  New  York,  but  declined  the  office.  Two  years  afterwards, 
he  was  made  Senator  from  the  Southern  District,  and  in  the 
following  year  Chief  Justice  of  the  New  York  Supreme 
Court.  In  1788,  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Convention 
which  ratified  the  Federal  Constitution.  In  1790,  having  reached 
the  age  of  sixty,  he  resigned  all  his  offices  and  retired  to  his 
estate  at  Scarsdale,  Westchester  County,  where  he  passed  the 
remaining  twenty  years  of  his  life.     He  married  Sarah  Ludlow, 


Frances  LudlLim 

Wife  of  Robert  Morris 


HDorria  33 

daughter  of  Henry  Ludlow,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons  and  a 
daughter. 

Gouverneur  [1752],  the  fourth  son  of  Lewis  IIL,  was  graduated 
at  King's  College  (1768),  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1771.  Here  he  made  a  brilliant  success.  In  Gouverneur 
177s,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Congress  and  the  statesman 
signed  the  Articles  of  Confederation.  During  the  Revolution  he 
was  employed  in  many  capacities,  and  in  all  displayed  signal 
ability  and  zeal.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Convention 
which  framed  the  Constitution,  and  was  a  Commissioner  to  Eng- 
land in  1789.  Three  years  later,  he  was  Minister  to  France,  and 
after  the  expiration  of  his  term  spent  several  years  abroad  in  study 
and  travel.  He  became  United  States  Senator  in  1800,  but  served 
only  three  years  of  the  six.  In  literature,  he  was  almost  as  suc- 
cessful as  in  law  and  diplomacy.  His  writings  were  numerous 
and  highly  esteemed,  if  not  popular.  Taine,  the  French  critic, 
said  that  of  all  our  early  statesmen  he  had  the  keenest  sense  of 
humor,  and  Hamilton  summed  him  up:  "He  was  by  birth  a 
native  of  this  country,  but  by  genius  an  exotic." 

Congress  paid  him  the  high  compliment  of  assigning  to  him 
the  task  of  delivering  the  funeral  orations  over  Washington  and 
Hamilton.  The  addresses  produced  a  profound  impression  upon 
the  American  people,  and  are  even  to-day  placed  among  the  best 
examples  of  American  eloquence.  He  was  the  second  President 
of  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  and  during  the  latter  part  of 
his  life  was  a  commanding  figure  in  New  York  society.  He  mar- 
ried Annie  Cary  Randolph,  daughter  of  Thomas  Randolph  of 
Virginia,  a  descendant  of  Pocahontas,  by  whom  he  had  one  son, 
Gouverneur  II. 

The  fifth  generation  reached  manhood  about  the  time  of  the 
Revolution,  and,  as  might  be  expected,  was  noted  for  its  military 
record  and  prowess.     Of  its  members,  probably  the 

^  General  Jacob 

most  celebrated  was  General  Jacob,  son  of  Lewis  the 
Signer.     He  served  through  the  war,  and  distinguished  himself 
in  many  battles.     When  peace  came,  in  1783,  he  retired  to  private 
life,  but  took  a  strong  part  in  public  affairs.    The  energy  which 


34  HDorrls 

he  had  displayed  as  a  soldier  was  now  turned  into  pacific  chan- 
nels. The  State  of  New  York,  recognizing  the  losses  sustained  by 
Lewis  and  Richard  Morris  during  the  Revolution,  in  which  their 
Morrisania  property  had  been  well-nigh  destroyed,  granted  the 
brothers  a  tract  of  land,  consisting  of  three  thousand  acres,  in 
Montgomery  County,  as  an  indemnity  as  well  as  a  compliment. 
The  General  was  the  pioneer  of  this  patent,  and  established  his 
home  in  the  very  heart  of  what  was  then  a  wilderness.  The  hard- 
ships of  pioneering  seemed  to  exert  a  beneficial  influence  upon 
the  stout-hearted  General  and  his  wife.  They  changed  the  forest 
land  into  magnificent  farms,  and  at  the  close  of  long  lives  they 
saw  happy  towns  and  villages  where  before  there  had  been 
naught  but  the  Indian  and  the  wild  beast.  Their  union  was  fruit- 
ful, his  wife,  Mary  Cox,  bearing  him  twelve  children,  nearly 
all  of  whom  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  When  he  was  over 
seventy  he  married  a  second  time,  and  was  blessed  with  one 
child,  a  son,  A.  P.  Morris. 

Next  in  importance  to  General  Jacob  was  Commodore  Richard 
Valentine,  son  of  Lewis  the  Signer,  an  able,  energetic,  and  pro- 
gressive officer  of  the  American  Navy.     He  was  the 

Commodore       °  •' 

Richard  head  of  a  cadet  branch,  which  had  many  representa- 
tives in  the  next  three  generations.  A  third  son  of 
Lewis  the  Signer  was  Colonel  Lewis,  aide-de-camp  to  General 
Colonel  Sullivan  and  General  Greene.  A  fourth  was  James, 
Lewis  ^jio  v/as  a  captain  in  the  Revolution,  and  who  married 

Helen  Van  Cortlandt,  daughter  of  Augustus  Van  Cortlandt. 

Of  the  children  of  Richard  the  Chief  Justice,  the  third  son 
of  Lewis  III.,  the  best  known  was  Robert  of  Fordham.  He  devoted 
Robert  of  his  life  to  the  care  of  his  estate  in  Westchester  County, 
Fordham  ^Lud  was  Instrumental  in  effecting  many  reforms  and 
improvements  in  that  shire.  Two  of  his  children  played  active 
parts  in  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century,  Robert  Hunter 
and  Lewis  Gouverneur. 

Gouverneur  II.  [1813],  son  of  Gouverneur,  Minister  to  France, 
was  noted  for  his  activity  in  the  development  of  the  internal  re- 
sources of  the  United  States  in  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth 


^ 


Lewis  Gouverneur  Morris 

From  a  steel  engraving  by  Samuel  Sartain 


flDorris  35 

century.  He  was  twice  married:  first  to  his  cousin,  Martha 
Jefferson  Gary,  of  Virginia,  and,  second,  to  his  cousin, 

■'  J  <  o  >  y  Gouverneur  II. 

Anna  Morris.     He  left  two  sons,  Gouverneur  111.  the 
journalist,  and  Randolph.     Gouverneur  111.  is  represented  in  the 
seventh  generation  by  Gouverneur  IV. 

In  the  sixth  generation,  the  Signer  was  represented  by  the 
three  sons  of  Commodore  Richard  Valentine:  Gerard  Walton,  who 
was  graduated  from  Columbia  in  1818,  and  was  for  Gerard 

many  years  a  leading  lawyer  in  New  York;  Henry,  who  waiton 
was  graduated  from  Columbia  in  1826,  and  was  also  a  barrister; 
and  Richard  Valentine  II. 

Robert  Hunter  II.,  son  of  Robert  of  Fordham,  was  a  member 
of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1848,  Recorder  and  Mayor  Robert 
Mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York  for  three  terms,  and  Hunter 

Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Lewis  Gouverneur  [1808],  son  of  Robert  of  Fordham,  took  up 
his  father's  work,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  development  of  the 
southern  port  of  Westchester  County.     As  early  as  ^ewis 

1838,  he  began  the  movement  for  the  deepening  and  Gouverneur 
rectification  of  the  Harlem  River,  and  for  the  drainage 
of  the  marshes  in  its  neighborhood.  He  encountered  consider- 
able opposition  from  the  conservative  elements  of  the  district,  but 
by  sheer  pluck  and  indomitable  patience  carried  his  plans  through 
to  a  triumphant  end.  His  greatest  victory  has  its  memorial  in 
that  noble  structure,  the  High  Bridge.  When  it  was  determined 
to  bring  the  Croton  water  through  to  New  York,  the  first  proposi- 
tion was  to  build  a  solid  structure,  which  would  have  rendered 
the  Harlem  unnavigable.  Lewis  fought  the  project  with  all  his 
strength,  and  urged  an  aqueduct  along  the  lines  of  the  present 
structure.  His  plans  excited  an  outburst  of  protestations  upon  the 
ground  of  extravagance,  corruption,  and  folly.  He  even  went  so 
far  as  to  employ  force. 

When  the  contractors  began  driving  strong  piles  which 
threatened  to  close  the  stream,  he  studied  the  laws  and  found 
some  precedents  whereby  he  could  legally  sail  a  heavily  laden 
craft  through  the  navigable  stream  even  when  this  was  impeded 


36  HDorris 

by  trespassers.  He  chartered  an  unwieldy  craft,  loaded  it  in  Phila- 
delphia with  coal,  sailed  it  up  the  Harlem  at  flood-tide,  and  as  he 
approached  the  piling  refused  to  drop  anchor.  The  tide  made 
the  vessel  an  enormous  battering  ram,  which  swept  away  the 
works  like  reeds.  He  anchored  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above,  and 
upon  the  ebb  raised  the  anchors  and  swept  back,  demolishing,  it 
is  said,  the  little  of  the  structure  that  remained.  This  was  too 
much  for  the  contractors.  They  gave  up  their  attempt,  and  the 
Harlem  River  was  preserved  in  its  integrity.  In  the  fifties,  he 
wrote  a  monograph  in  favor  of  a  ship  canal  at  Spuyten  Duyvil. 
The  project  was  regarded  as  visionary  at  the  time,  but  was 
adopted  by  the  United  States  Government,  and  made  a  fact  in 
the  nineties.  He  was  active  in  the  breeding  of  fine  stock,  and  was 
one  of  the  earliest  importers  of  Devonshires,  Shorthorns,  and 
Southdowns.  He  prospered  so  well  in  this  enterprise  that, 
after  a  few  years,  he  became  an  exporter,  and  sent  valuable 
cargoes  to  Cuba,  Canada,  the  Western  States,  and  the  Sandwich 
Islands.  He  married  Emily  Lorillard,  daughter  of  Jacob  Lorillard, 
by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  Fordham  Morris,  now 
living,  and  Commander  Francis,  U.  S.  N.,  who  died 
before  him. 

In  the  seventh  generation,  the  main  line  from  Lewis  the 

Signer  is  well  represented  by  Henry  Lewis,  son  of  Henry  of 

Morrisania.     He  married  Anna  R.  Russell,  daughter  of 

enry   ewis  ^^(-|^j|-,^|^  Russcll  and  Helen  Rutherford  Watts.     He  is 

a  lawyer,  a  member  of  many  clubs  and  scientific  societies,  and  a 
patron  of  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art  and  of  the  American 
Museum  of  Natural  History.  Lewis  the  Signer  is  represented  in 
the  eighth  generation  by  Lewis  Spencer  and  Eleanor  R. 

The  Morris  family  resembles  the  old  landed  gentry  of 
England.  For  more  than  two  centuries  they  have  been  identified 
with  great  estates  on  the  one  side  and  public  affairs  on  the  other. 
Few  of  their  long  roll  have  ever  touched  trade,  and  only  a  minority 
have  cared  for  the  professions.  Where  they  have  taken  up  the 
latter,  it  has  almost  invariably  been  the  law,  and  in  this  they  have 
attained  the  highest  success.     They  make  magnificent  soldiers, 


HDorrts  37 

and  can  look  back  upon  an  illustrious  record  in  the  three  great 
wars  of  American  history.  From  the  first  they  have  been  marked 
by  studious  habits,  broad  culture,  philanthropy,  and  patriotism. 
By  marriage,  they  have  become  connected  with  most  of  the  old 
families  of  the  State,  but,  unlike  many  others,  they  have  not  been 
swallowed  up,  but  have  on  the  contrary  impressed  themselves 
upon  the  other  bloods.  Starting  with  a  single  ancestor  in  Cap- 
tain Richard,  they  have  increased  in  numbers,  generation  after 
generation,  until  to-day  they  can  point  to  more  than  two  hundred 
living  representatives  of  their  name. 


®6G00b 


39 


Samuel  Osgood 

From  the  painting  by  J.   Trumbull 


XXIV 


OSGOOD 


)AMILIES  have  characters,  like  indi- 
viduals. Some  are  stationary,  others 
move  from  place  to  place,  and  a  third 
type  separates  and  sends  its  frag- 
ments in  various  directions.  Thus, 
the  famous  King  family  is  identified 
with  many  States.  Somev^hat  simi- 
lar to  it  is  the  Osgood  family,  which 
for  two  centuries  has  been  a  power 
in  both  Massachusetts  and  New  York. 
The  founder  was  Captain  John  [i  595], 
who  came  to  New  England  about 
1635,  and  settled  in  the  Bay  State.  In  1639,  he  was  admitted  a 
freeman  of  the  town  of  Newbury.  Subsequently,  he  joined  the 
pioneer  party  which  settled  in  the  virgin  forest,  cleared  c^pt.  john 
the  land,  and  established  the  celebrated  town  of  An-  ^^^  Founder 
dover.  He  was  a  religious  enthusiast,  and  devoted  all  his  leisure 
time  "to  the  glory  of  God,"  to  use  the  quaint  language  of  the 
Puritan  days.  His  was  the  second  house  to  be  erected  in  the  little 
settlement,  and  it  had  hardly  been  completed  before  it  was  utilized 
as  the  church  or  "meeting-house"  of  the  neighborhood.  The 
original  homestead  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  family  for 
more  than  two  hundred  years. 

According  to  his  contemporaries,  he  feared  neither  the  theo- 
logical devil  nor  the  red  ones  who  prowled  in  the  neighborhood, 

41 


42  ©00005 

He  went  to  church  with  a  musket,  and  whenever  Indian  condi- 
tions looked  threatening,  he  and  his  sons  went  about  their  busi- 
ness armed  to  the  teeth.  No  better  type  of  the  God-fearing  and 
stout-hearted  pioneer  can  be  found  in  the  early  pages  of  New 
England. 

For  a  century,  the  family  remained  in  the  neighborhood  of  its 
first  home.  It  grew  in  numbers,  wealth,  and  influence.  The 
records  show  them  to  have  been  prominent  in  commercial,  agri- 
cultural, political,  and  ecclesiastical  affairs.  They  were  farmers, 
merchants,  and  traders,  grand-jurymen,  town  clerks,  assessors, 
highway  commissioners,  selectmen,  and  chairmen  and  secretaries 
of  town  meetings,  deacons,  elders,  trustees,  moderators,  and 
clergymen.  They  had  high  ideals  as  to  public  virtue,  and  were 
honest  and  patriotic  to  a  fault.  From  the  beginning,  they  set  store 
upon  public  education,  and  gave  their  children  the  best  instruction 
which  could  be  obtained.  The  sons  were  sent  to  Boston,  and 
afterwards  to  Cambridge,  when  Harvard  was  established;  while 
the  daughters  were  carefully  brought  up  in  the  woman's  curric- 
ulum of  New  England.  To  this  period  belong  such  characters  as 
Colonel  Isaac,  Dr.  Henry,  Colonel  John,  the  Rev.  Thaddeus,  the 
Rev.  Daniel,  Captain  Isaac,  the  Rev.  David,  Dr.  Kendall,  Captain 
Samuel,  and  Colonel  John. 

When  the  agitation  began  throughout  the  colonies  in  favor  of 
greater  liberty  and  in  opposition  to  the  tyrannical  features  of  the 
colonial  government,  it  found  the  Osgoods  among  the  strongest 
supporters  of  popular  rights.  They  were  not  agitators,  but  zealots. 
They  were  not  to  be  bribed  nor  corrupted,  because  their  wealth 
rendered  them  independent  and  above  temptation,  and  their  high 
social  position  made  them  superior  in  many  respects  to  the  officials 
who  were  sent  across  the  sea  from  Westminster  to  govern  the 
Crown  possessions. 

Between  1760  and  1776,  their  name  dots  the  record  of  the  cam- 
paign for  freedom.  In  1765,  Captain  Peter  and  Colonel  John  were 
r-   .  r, .       members  of  a  committee  which  drew  up  resolutions 

Capt.  Peter  ^ 

against  the  Stamp  Act  and  other  inequitable  imposts. 
In  1768,  Captain  Peter  was  the  leading  member  of  the  committee 


©00OO&  43 

formed  to  encourage  home  manufactures  in  defiance  of  the  policy 
of  the  Crown  and  to  discourage  the  importation  of  all  superfluities 
from  Great  Britain.  When  Captain  Peter  was  asked  what  were 
superfluities,  he  responded  with  grim  Yankee  humor:  "  Everything 
imported  from  England." 

in  1774,  the  indomitable  Captain  and  Dr.  Joseph,  his  cousin, 
were  members  of  the  Committee  of  Safety.  Of  their  record  in 
the  Revolution,  naught  can  be  said  but  praise.    They 

^  '  Dr.  Joseph 

did  not  manifest  high  military  talent,  but  made  up  for 
this  by  a  patience,  discipline,  endurance,  and  stoical  courage  which 
are  of  equal  value  in  the  field  of  Mars.    At  least  thirty  served  in 
the  great  struggle,  one  and  all  of  whom  made  model  soldiers. 

In  this  group  of  distinguished  patriots  was  Samuel  [1748],  the 
statesman,  the  founder  of  the  branch  in  "New  York  City.  He  was 
graduated  from  Harvard  in  1770,  and  took  up  the  study  coionei 
of  theology.  His  health  breaking  down,  he  relinquished  samueithe 
the  pulpit  for  public  life.  In  1774,  he  was  elected 
to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Massachusetts.  When  the  British 
sent  their  expeditions  to  Lexington  and  Concord  in  1775,  he 
organized  a  company  of  minute-men,  and  fought  the  redcoats  at 
both  places.  The  same  year  he  was  made  major,  and  in  the  fall 
aide-de-camp  to  General  Ward,  with  the  rank  of  colonel.  His 
popularity  was  so  great  that  a  colonelcy  of  a  regiment  was  offered 
to  him,  but  he  declined  on  the  ground  that  there  were  many 
better  soldiers  than  himself  who  could  take  the  command,  and 
that  he  could  do  more  good  for  his  fellow-countrymen  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

Upon  entering  that  body,  he  was  made  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  War,  on  which  he  served  with  signal  success  for  four  years.  He 
then  became  a  Senator  and  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
where  he  remained  until  1784.  He  was  again  elected,  and  in  1785 
was  made  a  Judge.  A  few  months  afterwards,  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment appointed  him  First  Commissioner  of  the  United  States 
Treasury,  which  he  remained  until  1789.  He  was  then  appointed 
Postmaster-General,  which  post  he  held  until  1791,  when  he  re- 
signed because  he  preferred  remaining  a  private  citizen  in  New 


44  ©SQOOD 

York  City  to  being  a  Cabinet  officer  in  Philadelphia,  to  which  city 
the  national  capital  was  then  removed.  The  people  of  New  York 
must  have  appreciated  the  compliment  thus  paid,  because  they 
elected  him  to  the  State  Legislature  (1800-1801-1802),  and  during 
the  first  two  years  of  that  period  he  was  made  the  Speaker  ol  the 
Assembly.  From  1801  to  1803,  he  was  State  Supervisor,  and  from 
the  last-named  year  to  his  death  in  181 3  he  was  the  Naval  Officer 
of  the  Port  of  New  York. 

During  the  thirty  years  in  which  he  resided  in  the  metropolis 
he  was  one  of  its  most  distinguished  citizens.  No  man  had  more 
at  heart  the  welfare  of  the  community.  When  the  present  public- 
school  system  was  devised,  on  the  list  of  the  incorporators  the 
first  two  names  were  those  of  De  Witt  Clinton  and  Samuel 
Osgood.  It  may  be  interesting  to  know  the  names  of  the  public- 
spirited  men  to  whom  the  present  City  of  New  York  is  under  so 
many  obligations.  In  addition  to  the  two  mentioned,  were  Brock- 
hoist  Livingston,  John  Murray,  Jr.,  Jacob  Morton,  Thomas  Eddy, 
Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  John  Pintard,  Thomas  Pearsall,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Samuel  Miller,  Joseph  Constant,  Robert  Bowne,  Matthew 
Clarkson,  Archibald  Gracie,  John  McVickar,  Charles  Wilkes, 
Henry  Ten  Broeck,  Gilbert  Aspinwall,  Valentine  Seaman,  William 
Johnson,  William  Coit,  Matthew  Franklin,  Adrian  Hegeman, 
Leonard  Bleecker,  Benjamin  G.  Minturn,  Thomas  Franklin,  Samuel 
Russell,  Samuel  Doughty,  Alexander  Robertson,  Samuel  Torbert, 
John  Withington,  William  Edgar,  George  TurnbuU,  William  Boyd, 
Jacob  Mott,  Benjamin  Egbert,  Thomas  Farmer,  and  Dr.  Samuel 
Latham  Mitchell. 

When  the  New  York  City  Dispensary  was  founded,  he  was 
one  of  the  first  trustees,  and  in  nearly  all  of  the  public  movements 
in  the  last  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  he  was  a  conspicuous  fig- 
ure. Beneath  the  man  of  affairs  was  the  thinker  and  the  scholar. 
Late  at  night  and  early  in  the  morning  he  devoted  his  time  to 
studying  topics  utterly  disconnected  with  the  routine  of  his  life. 
Among  the  works  which  he  published  were  a  monograph  on 
Chronology,  a  curious  study  upon  Daniel  and  Revelation,  Theology 
and  Metaphysics,  Letters  on  Episcopacy,  and  other  philosophic, 


©SgOOb  45 

Biblical,  historical,  and  ecclesiastical  topics.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, his  first  wife  being  Martha  Brandon,  who  had  no  issue,  and 
his  second,  Maria  Bowne  Franklin,  widow  of  Walter  Franklin, 
after  whom  Franklin  Square,  "New  York  City,  was  named,  by 
whom  he  had  three  daughters.  Of  these,  Martha  Brandon 
married  the  French  Minister,  Edmond  C.  Genet,  from  whom 
comes  the  Genet  family  of  New  York;  Julia  married  her  cousin, 
Samuel  Osgood,  and  Susan  Maria  married  Moses  Field,  and  was 
the  mother  of  Judge  Maunsell  B.  Field. 

Samuel  [1812],  of  the  sixth  generation,  a  famous  divine,  was 
graduated  from  Harvard  College  (1832),  and  from  the  Harvard 
Divinity  School  (1835).  After  a  brief  career  as  an  Rev.  Dr. 
editor,  he  took  a  pulpit  in  Nashua,  N.  H.,  and  in  1849  ^*'°"^' 
accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Church  of  the  Messiah  in  Nev/  York 
City,  in  which  place  he  died  in  1880.  His  life  may  be  divided  into 
two  epochs:  twenty  years  in  active  clerical  labor  and  eleven  in 
hard  literary  work. 

His  contributions  to  American  literature  were  numerous  and 
valuable.  Among  his  chief  productions  were  Studies  in  Christian 
Biography,  God  with  Men,  The  Hearthstone,  Milestones  in  Our 
Life's  Journey,  Student  Life,  American  Leaves,  and  an  address 
before  the  New  York  Historical  Society  upon  "Thomas  Craw- 
ford on  Art  in  America."  He  translated  from  the  German  Her- 
man Olshausen's  History  of  the  Passion,  and  De  Wette's  Human 
Life.  For  four  years  he  was  editor  of  the  Christian  Inquirer, 
while  his  magazine  articles,  lectures,  college  addresses,  and  crit- 
ical studies  were  more  than  two  hundred  in  number. 

In  the  seventh  generation  were  several  conspicuous  members. 
Walter  Franklin  [1791]  was  educated  at  Columbia  College  (1809), 
from  which  he  also  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  He  inherited  a 
handsome  fortune,  of  which  he  took  good  care.  He  was  promi- 
nent in  church  and  social  circles,  and  was  connected  with  several 
moneyed  institutions.  The  Rev.  Alfred  [1807]  was  a  Rev.  Alfred, 
scholarly  and  enthusiastic  home  missionary.  Ordained  Missionary 
in  1835,  he  took  up  the  onerous  life  of  an  evangelist  in  newly 
opened  or  sparsely  peopled  districts.     For  ten  years  he  labored  in 


46  ©sgoob 

Ulster  County  and  adjacent  districts  in  the  Catskills,  and  then,  at 
the  request  of  the  Missionary  Board,  he  went  to  La  Salle,  111., 
where  he  worked  with  remarkable  success.  Besides  founding 
several  churches,  he  mapped  out  and  planned  a  settlement  upon 
the  open  prairie  which  grew  into  the  present  community  of  Hope- 
town.  He  married  Paulia  C.  Pelt,  by  whom  he  had  three  children. 
Of  these,  Alfred  T.,  the  only  son  [1844],  was  prominent  in  finan- 
cial matters.     He  married  Clara  Kenyon,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

The  Rev.  David  [1813]  was  notable  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  His  eloquence  and  scholarship  have  given  him  an 
Reverend  enviable  celebrity.  He  was  twice  married  :  first,  to 
David  Harriet  K.  Ladd,  and,  second,  to  Maria  Carle.     His 

children  were  three  in  number :  David  L.  [1843],  Mary  M.  [1851], 
and  Harriet  K.  [1854]. 

Samuel  Stillman,  the  artist  [1808],  was  for  many  years  prom- 
inent in  the  world  of  painting.  His  specialty  was  portrait-mak- 
samueis.,  ing,  aud  many  of  his  canvases  are  treasured  in  the 
Artist  great  public  collections  of  the  country.     He  married 

twice  —  first,  Frances  Sargent  Locke  of  Boston,  and,  second, 
Sarah  R.  Howland  of  New  York.  The  first  wife,  Frances,  was 
the  author  known  by  the  pen  name  of  "  Fanny  Forrester."  Her 
literary  talent  was  developed  at  an  early  age,  and  she  wrote  sev- 
eral fine  poems  when  a  mere  child.  Her  contributions  to  period- 
icals were  many  and  attractive.  Most  of  them  were  collected  and 
published  in  book  form.  Among  her  works  were  The  Casket  of 
Fate,  A  Wreath  of  Wild  Flowers  from  New  England,  The  Poetry 
of  Flowers  and  the  Flowers  of  Poetry,  Poems,  The  Floral  Offering, 
and  Poems.  From  1840  to  her  death  the  Osgoods  resided  in  New 
York,  during  which  time  their  home  was  a  literary  and  artistic 
centre. 

In  the  eighth  generation,  the  Rev.  Howard  [183 1]  was  the 
most  distinguished.  He  took  sacred  orders  and  settled  finally  in 
Reverend  Rochester,  wherc  he  conducted  a  very  successful  pas- 
Howard  torate.  He  v/as  a  contributor  to  the  religious  press. 
He  married  Caroline  Townsend  Lawrence  of  New  York,  by  whom 
he  had  issue. 


o  -s 

be   2 

o  -^ 

—       bO 


o 
o 


cyo 


Q  I 


> 


©SOOOb  47 

In  the  ninth  generation,  a  conspicuous  member  is  Professor 
Herbert  Levi.  He  was  graduated  from  Amherst  (1877),  where  he 
took  the  degree  of  A.M.  in  1880.  He  entered  the  Post-  professor 
Graduate  School  of  Political  Science  at  Columbia  Uni-  ""^"'  l-^'* 
versify,  where  in  1889  he  received  the  degree  of  Ph.D.  He  is 
an  educator  by  profession,  and  is  now  professor  of  history  at 
Columbia. 

Howard  Lawrence  [1855],  son  of  the  Rev.  Howard,  was  a 
lawyer  at  Rochester,  and  was  identified  with  the  affairs  of  that 
city.  He  married  Catharine  Rochester  Montgomery,  by  whom 
he  has  had  issue. 

The  characteristic  of  the  Osgood  race  has  been  a  strong 
religious  nature.  At  the  beginning  of  their  career  they  were 
stern,  and  it  may  be  narrow,  Puritans.  The  pioneers  of  Massa- 
chusetts were  tolerant  only  of  themselves  and  denied  to  others 
the  liberty  of  worship  for  which  they  themselves  were  ready  to  die. 
With  the  increase  of  wealth  and  culture,  their  natures  broadened,, 
and  their  religious  conceptions  grew  more  generous.  In  the 
eighteenth  century,  the  leading  representatives  had  departed  from 
the  iron  creed  of  the  seventeenth,  while  in  the  nineteenth,  many 
of  them  belonged  to  the  most  liberal  faiths. 

No  family  has  given  a  larger  number  of  sons  to  the  pulpit. 
There  have  been  so  many  that  the  name  has  a  distinctly  religious 
sound.  The  tendencies  which  are  involved  in  this  field  of  spirit- 
ual endeavor  have  shaped  the  destinies  of  those  who  did  not 
enter  the  sacred  calling.  Many  Osgoods  have  been  famous  in 
charities,  institutional  work,  the  Red  Cross  Society,  prison  reform, 
and  the  management  of  asylums  and  hospitals.  The  wealth  and 
culture  of  the  race  have  been  expressed  by  the  contingent  who 
have  entered  other  learned  professions.  Among  them  are  editors, 
poets,  playwrights,  historians,  lawyers,  physicians,  archaeologists, 
pedagogues,  and  artists.  Few  seem  to  have  cared  for  commer- 
cial life,  and  while  intensely  patriotic,  they  have  not  enjoyed  the 
perpetual  clash  and  struggle  which  prevail  in  political  life. 

Their  career  in  the  Empire  State  has  been  paralleled  by  that  in 
the  Bay  State.    Those  who  have  gone  into  other  commonwealths 


48  ©SQOOb 

have  carried  with  them  their  simple  modes  of  living,  their  culture 
and  love  of  learning,  and  their  intense  civic  and  patriotic  spirit. 
While  the  family  has  never  been  marked  by  great  wealth,  high 
military  genius,  or  political  skill,  it  has  impressed  itself  upon  the 
State  and  nation  by  its  indomitable  moral  and  religious  force.  It 
has  been  a  power  for  good,  from  the  first  pioneer,  who  wor- 
shipped God  with  his  loaded  musket  in  hand,  down  to  the  score 
of  clergymen  who  are  trying  to  raise  the  moral  standards  of 
to-day. 


potter 


49 


Bishop  Aloit^o  Potter 
From  a  painting 


XXV 


POTTER 


HERE  is  something  heroic  about  a  re- 
ligious zealot.  The  sacrifice  of  self 
upon  the  altar  of  an  ideal  appeals  to 
the  heart,  no  matter  whether  the 
sacrifice  consists  of  an  anchoritic  life 
of  abnegation  and  suffering,  of  an 
evangelist's  career  in  the  dark  com- 
munities of  the  world,  or  of  the  turbu- 
lent existence  of  the  reformer,  trying 
to  arouse  his  generation  to  a  loftier 
manhood.  In  the  early  settlement 
of  New  England,  these  types  of  men 
were  numerous  and  noticeable.  What  could  be  more  picturesque 
than  Miles  Standish  praying  with  extreme  unction  for  God's  bless- 
ing upon  the  heathen  redskins,  and  then  sallying  forth  with  the 
sword  and  gun  to  send  as  many  as  he  possibly  could  into  the 
presence  of  their  Creator  ?  What  dramatic  possibilities  are  bound 
up  in  the  experience  of  Lion  Gardiner  at  Fort  Saybrook,  where  his 
day  was  divided  into  fragments  which  were  applied  to  study, 
engineering,  manual  labor,  prayer,  praise,  and  taking  arms  against 
"the  hellish  Indians."    No  less  memorable  was  the  Robert 

fierce  enthusiasm  of  Robert  Potter,  of  Warwick,  R.  1.,    t^e  Founder 
who  founded  a  race  which  added  lustre  to  American  annals. 

He  came  from  Coventry,  England,  which  seems  to  have  been 
a  hotbed  of  religious  zeal,  and  in  his  early  manhood  had  evolved  a 

51 


52  potter 

stern  and  heroic  belief  which  made  him  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  to  his 
neighbors.  It  is  hard  for  us  who  enjoy  the  liberal  spirit  of  the 
twentieth  century  to  understand  the  exact  position  of  the  man's 
mind  concerning  affairs  spiritual.  He  has  been  called  a  Quaker, 
but  he  certainly  had  little  in  common  with  that  meek  and  long- 
suffering  sect.  Other  critics  have  called  him  an  Antinomian,  both 
of  the  Lutheran  and  Calvinistic  varieties,  and  yet  his  opinions  can- 
not be  interpreted  according  to  either  of  those  schools  of  religious 
thought.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  he  probably  was  a  law  unto  him- 
self Intensely  devout,  full  of  enthusiasm  and  energy,  he  tried  to 
live  according  to  his  own  canons  and  resented  all  attempts  to 
circumscribe  his  liberty  by  well-meaning  but  officious  third  parties. 

He  came  to  the  Massachusetts  Plantations  in  1634,  and  the  same 
year  was  made  a  freeman  under  the  ancient  law.  This  indicates 
that  he  was  a  man  of  education,  high  intelligence,  and  some 
means.  He  settled  first  at  Lynn,  and  thence  removed  to  Rox- 
bury.  Here  he  had  a  violent  altercation  with  the  church,  in  which 
he  was  haled  before  the  courts  and  compelled  to  give  bonds  for 
his  appearance  unless  "  hee  bee  with  his  family  removed  out  ot  the 
plantation  before. "  This  decorous  way  of  exiling  a  citizen  resulted 
in  his  migrating  to  Rhode  Island,  where,  with  a  group  of  associ- 
ates, he  bought  the  tract  of  land  called  the  Shawomet  purchase, 
which  was  christened  Warwick,  in  honor  of  the  Earl  of  that  name 
who  had  espoused  their  cause  during  their  quarrels  with  Massa- 
chusetts. Although  Rhode  Island  was  exceedingly  liberal  com- 
pared with  Massachusetts,  it  was  not  long  before  the  fearless 
agitator  found  himself  in  hot  water  with  his  new  neighbors,  and 
was  imprisoned  and  otherwise  punished  for  his  "blasphemies." 
In  1643,  he  had  the  honor  of  being  excommunicated  by  his  bigoted 
neighbors. 

During  the  next  four  generations  the  family  prospered  and 
waxed  numerous.  Its  stern  fanaticism  changed  to  intellectual 
and  civic  activity,  and  its  members  rose  to  become  prominent 
actors  in  the  drama  of  colonial  life.  The  records  of  Rhode  Island 
show  them  to  have  held  many  offices,  and  to  have  been  marked 
by  probity,  intellectuality,  and  sound  sense.     One  branch  settled 


potter  53 

in  Massachusetts,  and  gave  many  distinguished  sons  to  the  service 
of  the  colony,  and  afterwards  to  the  State;  a  second  became 
prominent  in  the  development  of  New  Hampshire,  while  a  third 
settled  in  New  York,  and  in  the  course  of  time  came  to  rival  the 
main  branch  in  the  distinction  and  public  service  of  its  members. 

The  line  of  descent  of  the  New  York  branch  is  clear  and 
simple.  Robert's  son,  John  [1639],  married  Ruth  Fisher;  their  son 
John  [1669]  married  Jane  Burlingame;  their  son  John  [1695]  rn^r- 
ried  Mrs.  Phcebe  Arnold  Greene,  widow,  a  daughter  Joseph  the 
of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Sheldon)  Arnold;  and  their  son  New  York 
Thomas  [1735]  married  Esther  Sheldon.  Of  their  off- 
spring, Joseph  [1757],  who  married  Anna  Knight,  was  the  founder 
of  the  New  York  family.  John  [1695],  Thomas  [1735],  and  Joseph 
[1757]  were  Quakers. 

Joseph,  of  New  York,  was  a  well-educated  and  industrious 
character,  who  on  arrival  in  New  York  State  settled  in  Beekman, 
now  La  Grange,  Dutchess  County.  He  became  prominent  in  his 
new  home,  and  enjoyed  the  affection  of  his  fellow-citizens.  They 
elected  him  to  many  positions  of  honor,  of  which  the  most 
important  was  the  Assemblymanship,  he  being  sent  to  Albany  as 
a  representative  in  1798  and  1814.  Here  he  proved  an  intelligent 
legislator  and  an  incorruptible  politician. 

The  great  characters  of  the  seventh  generation  were  his  two 
sons.  Bishops  Alonzo  and  Horatio.  Alonzo  fiSoo]  was  graduated 
from  Union  College  (1818),  where  he  was  the  honor  Bishop 

man  of  his  class.     Shortly  after  his  graduation,  he  took  ^'°°^° 

up  theological  studies  with  a  view  of  entering  the  pulpit.  In  the 
meantime,  he  served  as  a  tutor  at  his  Alma  Mater,  and  on  coming 
of  age  was  made  professor  of  mathematics  and  physics  at  that 
institution. 

In  1824,  he  took  orders  and  married,  his  wife  being  Sarah 
Maria  Nott,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Nott,  President 
of  Union  College.  In  1832,  he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  chair  of 
moral  and  intellectual  philosophy  and  political  economy.  Six 
years  later,  he  became  Vice-President  of  Union,  which  position  he 
administered  with  great  ability  up  to  the  time  of  his  election  as 


54  potter 

Protestant  Episcopal  Bishop  of  Pennsylvania.  This  new  honor 
was  the  opportunity  of  his  lifetime.  Too  often  the  position  is 
viewed  as  a  reward  for  past  services  and  as  a  vacation  after  years 
of  earnest  effort.  In  the  case  of  Bishop  Alonzo,  it  was  the  opening 
of  a  field  for  greater  energy  and  efficiency. 

He  had  no  more  than  taken  the  cathedral  chair,  when  he 
began  a  campaign  of  work  which  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
country  and  made  him  immortal  in  the  annals  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church.  He  advocated  human  liberty,  and  though  he 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  many  rabid  pro-slavery  enthusiasts, 
he  won  the  respect  and  affection  of  the  great  masses  of  the  North. 
He  lectured  with  marked  success,  proving  himself  one  of  the 
brilliant  orators  of  his  time.  He  contributed  largely  to  American 
literature,  his  writings  displaying  an  almost  phenomenal  versa- 
tility. These  writings  include  a  treatise  on  logarithms  and  a  course 
of  lectures  on  the  evidences  of  Christianity,  a  treatise  on  descrip- 
tive geometry,  a  noble  volume  on  "Religious  Philosophy,"  a 
sound  text-book  on  "  Political  Economy,"  and  a  critical  edition  of 
a  volume  of  poems.  His  most  notable  achievement  was  the 
organization  of  the  forces  of  his  Church  into  instrumentalities  for 
practical  work.  His  eloquence  and  goodness,  coupled  with  extra- 
ordinary executive  ability,  made  easy  for  him  what  to  others 
would  have  been  insuperable,  and  resulted  in  an  advance  of  his 
Church  in  every  direction. 

Among  other  things  that  were  accomplished  during  this  time 
were  the  building  and  endowment  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
hospital  of  his  diocese,  the  establishment  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Academy,  the  foundation  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Divinity 
School  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  erection  of  no  less  than  thirty-five 
new  churches  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  So  great  was  the  amount 
of  labor  involved  that  his  health  broke  down  under  the  strain  and 
he  was  compelled  to  seek  the  relief  of  an  assistant.  The  conse- 
quences of  his  work  were  a  growth  of  his  diocese  in  wealth, 
numbers,  and  activity,  which  necessitated  its  division  into  two 
separate  organizations.  He  married  three  times.  By  his  first 
wife,  Sarah  Maria  "Nott,  he  had  the  Hon.  Clarkson  N.  [1825], 


potter  55 

who  married  Virginia  Mitchell;  Howard  [1826],  who  married  Mary 
L.  Brown;  General  Robert  B.  [1829],  who  married,  first,  Francis 
Tileston,  and  second,  Abigail  Stevens;  Edward  Tuckerman  [1831], 
who  married  Julia  Blatchford;  the  Right  Rev.  Henry  Codman 
[183s],  who  married  Eliza  Rogers;  EliphaletN.  [1837],  who  married 
Helen  Fuller;  and  Maria  [1839],  who  married  Launt  Thompson. 
By  his  second  wife,  Sarah  Porter,  he  had  James  Neilson  [1841], 
who  married  Harriet  Duer  Jones;  William  A.  [1842];  and  Frank 
Hunter  [1851],  who  married  Alice  Key.  His  third  wife  was 
Frances  Seton. 

Bishop  Horatio  [1802]  was  graduated  from  Union  in  1826, 
and  admitted  to  the  priesthood  two  years  later.  The  same 
year    he  was    made   professor  of  mathematics   and  Bishop 

physics  in  Washington,  now  Trinity,  College.  Five  Horatio 
years  later,  he  became  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Albany,  where 
he  labored  with  great  power  and  success  twenty-one  years.  In 
1845,  he  was  made  Provisional  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York, 
and  in  1861,  Bishop. 

His  work  in  New  York  may  be  compared  with  that  of  his 
brother  in  Philadelphia,  being  marked  by  the  same  great  adminis- 
trative talent,  contagious  enthusiasm,  and  deep  belief  in  the 
efficacy  of  organized  effort.  The  Church  grew  rapidly,  and  in 
1868  the  diocese  had  become  so  unwieldy  that  it  was  divided  into 
three  parts,  Albany  and  Long  Island  being  erected  into  separate 
jurisdictions.  Marked  by  ripe  scholarship  and  literary  skill,  his 
addresses,  sermons,  and  occasional  contributions  to  Church  litera- 
ture exerted  a  strong  and  wholesome  influence  wherever  read. 
During  the  war  his  patriotism  was  marked,  and  at  all  times  his 
labors  for  the  ignorant,  poor,  and  sick  were  continuous  and  effi- 
cient. He  married,  first,  Mary  Jane  Tomlinson,  and,  second, 
Margaret  Pollock.  Among  his  children  were  Charles  Henry  [1 828], 
Mary  Jane  [1830],  Anna  [183 1],  David  T.  [1836],  Phcebe  [1838], 
Horatio  [1840],  Robert  Minturn  [1843],  Professor  William  Bleecker 
[1846],  and  Mary  J.  [1848]. 

The  eighth  generation  was  marked  by  many  men  of  emi- 
nence.   The   Hon.   Clarkson  Nott  [1825]  was  graduated  from 


56  potter 

Union  (1842),  studied  civil  engineering  at  the  Rensselaer  Poly- 
technic, and  thereafter  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  This 
thorough  education  made  him  a  valued  member  of  the 
Nou,  community,  and  in  1868  he  was  elected  to  Congress, 

statesman  ^jig^g  j^g  served  three  terms  until  1875,  and  thereafter 
served  two  terms,  from  1877  to  1881.  From  the  first  he  was  a 
prominent  character  in  the  House  of  Representatives.  His  greatest 
achievement  was  his  exposure  of  the  frauds  in  the  Presidential 
election  of  1876,  being  chairman  of  the  committee  which  investi- 
gated the  matter,  and  doing  the  lion's  share  of  the  work.  For 
many  years  he  was  one  of  the  great  leaders  of  the  New  York 
Democracy,  and  was  at  one  time  President  of  the  American  Bar 
Association. 

Howard,  the  banker  [1826],  was  born  at  Union  College,  and 
graduated  therefrom  in  1846.  He  came  into  great  prominence 
Howard  duHug  the  Civil  War,  when  he  organized  many  relief 
the  Banker  associations  and  other  patriotic  societies,  and  may  be 
justly  called  one  of  the  fathers  of  the  famous  United  States  Sani- 
tary Commission.  He  was  an  incorporator  of  the  American  Mu- 
seum of  Natural  History  and  of  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art, 
and  an  organizer  of  the  New  York  State  Charities  Aid  Association. 
In  1873,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  New  York  Association  for 
Improving  the  Condition  of  the  Poor.  He  has  played  an  import- 
ant part  in  the  various  societies  which  have  been  established  for 
the  preservation  of  scenery  and  historical  monuments,  the  estab- 
lishment of  state  and  local  parks,  and  the  reservation  of  Niagara 
Falls  as  a  public  pleasure-ground. 

The  soldier  of  this  generation  was  General  Robert  B.  [1829]. 
He  studied  at  Union  College,  and  afterwards  took  up  law,  and 
Major-Generai  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Robert  B.  (-{vil  War  he  gave  up  a  lucrative  practice  to  aid  in  the 
defence  of  the  Union.  He  fought  like  a  hero,  and  rose  rapidly, 
becoming  a  brigadier-general  in  1863.  The  following  year  he  was 
brevetted  major-general,  and  on  his  wedding  day  Secretary-of- 
War  Stanton  presented  the  wife  with  his  commission  as  full 
major-general.    At  the  close  of  the  war  he  gave  up  army  life  and 


Maria  Nott 

Wife  of  Bishop  Alonzo  Potter 


Hon.  Clarkson  N.  Potter 

From  a  pliotograph 


potter  57 

became  interested  in  railway  corporations.  According  to  General 
Hancock,  General  Potter  was  one  of  the  twelve  best  officers  in  the 
American  Army. 

Edward  Tuckerman  [1831],  architect  and  musician,  was  grad- 
uated  from    Union   (i8si),   and   devoted  his  life  to         Edward 
study,  architecture,  and  music.     He  was  as  well  known    Tuckerman, 
in  Europe,  where  he  resided  for  a  long  time,  as  in  his 
native  country. 

For  forty  years  he  made  a  special  study  of  the  problem  of 
housing  the  masses,  during  which  time  he  personally  investigated 
every  type  of  model  tenement  in  the  great  cities  of  the  world  and 
compiled  an  immense  mass  of  valuable  facts  bearing  upon  every 
phase  of  the  subject.  He  embodied  these  studies  in  a  model 
tenement,  which  was  exhibited  at  the  Columbian  Exposition  in 
Chicago  in  1893,  for  which  he  received  a  medal  from  the  Exposi- 
tion authorities,  and  which  has  been  widely  approved  by  stu- 
dents of  the  tenement-house  question.  In  1897,  he  was  made 
an  honorary  member  of  the  New  York  Chapter  of  the  Amer- 
ican Institute  of  Architects.  The  position  of  Supervising  Archi- 
tect of  the  Treasury  Department  was  offered  to  him  by  President 
Grant,  and,  on  his  declining  it,  was  given  to  his  brother,  William 
Appleton. 

The  Right  Rev.  Henry  Codman  [1835],  Bishop  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  of  New  York,  was  a  worthy  successor 
of  both  his  distinguished  father  and  uncle.     He  was  Bishop 

educated  at  the  Episcopal  Academy,  Philadelphia,  and  Henry  c. 
the  Virginia  Theological  Seminary,  where  he  was  graduated  in 
1857.  He  served  with  marked  success  at  Greensburg,  Pa.,  St. 
John's,  Troy,  and  Trinity,  Boston.  In  1868,  he  became  rector  ot 
Grace  Church,  New  York,  where  he  remained  sixteen  years. 
During  this  time,  he  declined  the  Presidency  of  Kenyon  College 
(1863),  and  the  Bishopric  of  Iowa  (1875).  In  1883,  he  was  elected 
Assistant  Bishop  to  his  uncle,  the  Right  Rev.  Horatio.  Four 
years  later,  on  the  death  of  the  latter,  he  became  his  successor. 

His  policy  has  been  that  which  has  marked  the  great  divines 
of  his  race— that  of  a  patriot  upon  all  national  matters,  a  civic 


58  potter 

leader  upon  municipal  questions,  a  tireless  advocate  of  educational 
reform  and  progress,  and  a  resolute  worker  in  philanthropic  enter- 
prises. During  a  life  of  the  hardest  kind  of  work,  he  has  found 
time  to  publish  several  books  of  literary  excellence  and  general 
value.  His  most  notable  work  of  recent  years  has  been  his  states- 
manlike effort  to  harmonize  the  interests  of  labor  and  capital,  and 
to  Christianize  the  "Submerged  Tenth,"  in  both  of  which  cases 
his  endeavors  have  met  with  gratifying  success. 

The  Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott  [1837]  was  a  graduate  of  Union  Col- 
lege (1861),  and  of  Berkeley  Divinity  School  (1852).  in  1866,  he 
President  was  made  professor  of  ethics  at  Lehigh  University,  and 
Eliphalet  N.  j,-,  ,§y,  President  of  Union  College,  and  afterwards 
President  when  the  college  was  made  into  a  university,  in  1884, 
he  declined  the  Bishopric  of  Nebraska  to  accept  the  Presidency  of 
Hobart  College.     He  died  on  February  16,  1901. 

Professor  William  Bleecker  [1846]  was  one  of  the  great 
educators  of  the  country.  He  was  graduated  from  Columbia 
Professor  with  high  honors  in  1866,  and  thereupon  entered  the 
William  B.  celebrated  School  of  Mines  of  that  university,  where  he 
took  the  degree  of  E.M.  in  1869.  For  two  years  he  was  assist- 
ant professor  of  geology,  and  at  the  same  time  served  as  a  geol- 
ogist upon  the  State  Geological  Survey  of  Ohio,  in  1871,  he 
became  professor  of  mining  engineering  and  metallurgy  at  Wash- 
ington University,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  No  one  stands  higher  among 
the  scientific  experts  of  the  land,  nor  enjoys  a  greater  esteem 
among  the  learned  societies  of  this  country  and  Europe,  in 
1888,  he  was  made  President  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining 
Engineers. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  surpass  the  record  of  the  Potter  family 
so  far  as  intellectuality  and  mental  achievements  are  concerned. 
It  is  difficult,  indeed,  to  equal  it.  The  record  of  the  main  branch 
is  longer  and  marked  by  a  greater  number  of  distinguished  men, 
but  it  may  be  questioned  whether,  in  general,  they  have  attained 
the  high  levels  of  their  New  York  kinsmen.  They  have  achieved 
fame  in  the  pulpit  as  orators,  and  in  the  cathedral  chair  as  execu- 
tives and  organizers.    In  science,  pedagogy,  architecture,  music, 


Ipotter  59 

literature,  and  at  the  bar,  they  have  won  enviable  reputations  for 
that  high  ability  which  borders  upon  genius. 

In  national  and  civic  affairs  they  have  been  marked  by  patriot- 
ism, humanity,  and  philanthropy,  and  in  private  life  they  have 
been  characterized  by  a  culture,  refinement,  and  grace  which  have 
made  them  leaders  of  society  for  a  hundred  years. 


IRapalje 


6l 


# 


Jacob  Rapalje 

From  a  steel  engraving 


i 


XXVI 


RAPALJE 


^ELIGIOUS  forces  are  potent  factors  in 
the  breaking  up  of  old  and  in  the 
establishment  of  new  communities. 
The  wars  between  the  Romanists 
and  Huguenots  of  France  are  an  in- 
teresting exemplification  of  this  fact, 
especially  to  an  American  student. 
The  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes 
drove  tens  of  thousands  of  the  Re- 
formed faith  into  more  liberal  coun- 
tries, and  of  these  a  considerable 
portion  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  set- 
tled in  the  Dutch  colonies  of  America,  where  they  soon  became  a 
large  and  influential  element  in  the  community. 

Among  the  first  settlers  in  the  New  Netherlands,  was  Joris 
Janes  de  Rapalie,  a  noble  Huguenot  of  La  Rochelle,  France,  better 
known  under  the  Dutch  form  of  his  name,  Jan  Joris  janjoris, 
Rapaelje.  His  family  had  been  distinguished  in  the  Founder 
history  of  Brittany  from  the  middle  of  the  eleventh  century.  In 
this  romantic  province  they  owned  large  estates,  and  were  famous 
for  their  valor  and  patriotism.  Many  of  them  took  part  in  the 
Crusades,  while  others  achieved  distinction  in  the  French  wars  at 
home  and  abroad.  They  were  among  the  first  converts  to  the 
Reformed  faith,  and  paid  the  usual  penalty  for  their  non-con- 
formity.    Some  were  killed,  while  the  majority  were  forced  to 

flee  to  Switzerland,  Belgium,  and  Holland. 

63 


64  IRapalJe 

Joris  was  among  those  who  escaped  to  Holland,  Here  he 
remained  a  short  time,  and  then,  with  a  company  of  venturous 
men  and  women,  he  took  passage  in  the  ship  Unity  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company,  and  arrived  in  New  Amsterdam  in  1623, 
being  one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  He  stayed  a  short  while  at  New 
Amsterdam,  and  then  went  to  Fort  Orange,  now  Albany.  Here 
he  remained  three  years,  and  returned  to  New  Amsterdam,  where 
he  lived  until  1637.  '"  June  of  that  year  he  bought  a  large  tract 
of  land  from  the  Indians  on  the  Long  Island  side  of  the  East 
River,  and  there  made  his  permanent  home.  The  tract  was  of 
335  acres,  and  included  a  large  part  of  what  was  called  the  Walla- 
bout.  He  was  a  man  of  high  integrity,  and  a  few  years  after  his 
arrival  in  Brooklyn  he  was  made  a  magistrate.  He  married  Cata- 
lina  Trico,  daughter  of  Joris  Trico  of  Paris,  by  whom  he  had 
eleven  children:  Sarah  [1625],  Marritje  [1627],  Jannetje  [1629], 
Judith  [1635],  Jan  [1637],  Jacob  [1639,]  Catalyntje  [1641],  Jeroni- 
mus  [1643],  Annetje  [1646],  Elizabeth  [1648],  and  Daniel  [1650]. 

Of  these  Sarah,  the  eldest,  was  the  first  female  child  born  in 
the  New  Netherlands.  In  honor  of  this  fact,  the  authorities  pre- 
sarah,  the  scntcd  her  with  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Wallabout  ad- 
First  Girl  jaceut  to  her  father's  farm.  Sarah  was  a  woman  of 
great  talent  and  physical  vigor,  and  during  her  long  life  was  the 
acknowledged  social  head  of  Brooklyn.  She  was  twice  married, 
her  husbands  being  Hans  Hansen  Bergen  and  Tunis  Gysbert 
Bogaert.  By  these  unions  she  had  fourteen  children,  becoming 
thereby  the  maternal  ancestress  of  the  Bergen  and  Bogart  families 
of  Long  Island. 

Jeronimus,  in  the  second  generation,  was  a  man  of  promi- 
nence in  both  New  York  and  Brooklyn.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
merchant.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  a  deacon  of  the 

Jeronimus 

Brooklyn  Church.  He  owned  several  small  craft, 
with  which  he  supplied  the  market  of  New  York  with  produce, 
and  turned  an  honest  penny  by  carrying  freight  for  his  neighbors. 
He  accumulated  considerable  property,  and  left  his  children  well 
provided  for.  His  wife  was  Anna,  daughter  of  Tunis  Denys,  by 
whom  he  had  six  sons  and  three  daughters. 


IRapalie  65 

Daniel,  the  youngest  child  of  Joris,  was  a  man  of  high  char- 
acter and  of  a  strong  religious  nature.  He  took  comparatively  little 
interest  in   public  affairs,  but  devoted  his  time  and  oaniei 

wealth  to  church  work.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  the  Devout 
Brooklyn  Church  the  larger  part  of  his  life,  and  made  it  a  point  of 
duty  to  visit  regularly  all  the  places  of  worship  belonging  to  his 
denomination.  The  church  records  of  that  period  speak  of  him 
in  very  high  terms,  and  ascribe  the  prosperity  of  his  denomination 
largely  to  his  generous  aid.  He  married  Sarah  Klock,  daughter 
of  Abraham  Klock,  by  whom  he  had  six  children. 

In  the  third  generation  were  several  male  members  of  ability 
and  influence.  Tunis  [1671],  son  of  Jeronimus,  was  active  and 
versatile,  having  been  a  farmer,  stock-raiser,  merchant,  Tunis 

and  sheep-owner.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  churchman,  ^^^  Deacon 
and  served  as  deacon  of  the  Brooklyn  Church  for  many  years. 
He  married  Sarah  Van  Vechten,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children. 

Jacob  [1679],  son  of  Jeronimus,  married  Sarah  Brinckerhoff, 
daughter  of  Abraham  Brinckerhoff,  by  whom  he  had  a  large 
family.  He  settled  in  Raritan,  N.  J.,  where  he  founded  the  New 
Jersey  branch  of  his  race. 

Cornelius  [1690]  married  Joanna  Antonides,  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Vincentius  Antonides,  by  whom  he  had  many  daughters, 
nearly  all  of  whom  grew  up  and  married  advantageously.  He 
resided  in  New  York,  and  from  his  branch  came  the  Rapaljes  who 
married  into  the  New  York  families  of  that  period. 

Jeronimus  [1682]  was  a  prosperous  land-owner,  shipper,  and 
merchant,  who  was  active  in  religious  and  philanthropic  affairs, 
and  who  served  twenty-five  years  as  a  trustee  of  the  jeronimus, 
town  of  Brooklyn.  He  took  delight  in  good  roads  and  Town-trustee 
bridges,  and  was  marked  by  great  fidelity  to  his  trusteeship.  He 
married  Hilletie  Van  Vechten,  daughter  of  Hendrick  Van  Vechten, 
by  whom  he  had  five  children. 

Daniel,  son  of  Daniel  [1691],  settled  in  Newtown,  where  he 
established  the  Queens  County  branch  of  the  family.  He  married 
Aletie  Cornell,  daughter  of  Johannes  Cornell,  by  whom  he  had 
ten  children.     He  was  a  prosperous  farmer,  and  founded  an  estate 

VOL.    II. -5. 


66  TRapalje 

which  grew  to  large  proportions,  under  the  management  of  his 
descendants. 

In  the  fourth  generation,  the  male  descendants  began  to 
change  from  agricultural  to  mercantile  pursuits.  In  the  meantime, 
the  growth  of  Brooklyn  and  New  York  had  enhanced  the  value 
of  farm  property  and  of  garden  produce,  so  that  nearly  all  the 
sons  were  quite  well  to  do.  George,  son  of  Tunis,  bought 
property  in  Bedford,  which  was  then  developing  into  a  very 
prosperous  village.  He  improved  it,  so  that  its  value  almost 
doubled  during  his  lifetime.  He  married  Elizabeth  Remsen, 
daughter  of  Joris  Remsen,  by  whom  he  had  five  children — 
Sarah  [1722],  George  [1724],  Tunis  [1726],  Rem  [1728],  and 
Phoebe  [1731]. 

Jeronimus  and  his  brother  Derrick  (sons  of  Jeronimus)  fol- 
lowed their  uncle  Jacob  and  migrated  to  New  Jersey,  settling 
first  at  Raritan  and  afterwards  at  Brunswick.  Each  married,  the 
former  having  two  sons,  Cornelius  and  Tunis,  and  the  latter, 
George  and  Jeronimus. 

Daniel,  son  of  Daniel,  was  the  thriftiest  member  of  the  family. 
He  was  very  successful  in  business,  and  eight  years  after  his  father 
died  bought  the  paternal  estate  at  Newtown.  He  man- 
s^  *°'^  2ged  it  with  prudence  and  amassed  great  wealth.  He 
was  a  magistrate  of  the  town,  and  held  many  positions  of  honor 
and  trust  in  the  ecclesiastical,  commercial,  legal,  and  social 
world. 

About  this  time  the  conflict  of  English  and  Dutch  spelling 
brought  about  a  curious  change  of  the  name.  Heretofore  it  had 
been  spelled  Rapalie;  now,  on  account  of  slurs  cast  upon  the 
Dutch  Knickerbockers,  the  family  adopted  the  Holland  spelling. 
They  could  not  agree,  however,  upon  the  form,  and  no  less  than 
three  versions  appeared.  The  largest  number  accepted  Rapalje, 
while  two  other  groups  employed  Rapaelje  and  Rapelje  respect- 
ively. The  French  particle  of  place,  "de,"  was  now  omitted 
altogether. 

Folkert  [1719],  son  of  Tunis,  resided  at  Cripplebush,  and 
devoted  himself  to  horticulture.     He  married  Matilda  Polhemus, 


\ 


The  Rapalje  Family  Bible,  in  Possession  of  Henry 
S.  Rapalje,  Esq. 


Title-page  of  the  Rapalje  Family  Bible  and  Page  Showing  Family  Records 


TRapalje  67 

daughter  of  Cornelius  Polhemus,  by  whom  he  had  one  son  and 
three  daughters. 

In  the  fifth  generation,  Major  Daniel  [1748],  son  of  Johannes 
and  grandson  of  Daniel,  was  a  brave  Revolutionary  soldier. 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  took  up  arms, 
served  as  lieutenant  during  the  conflict,  and  reached  ^^°^ 
the  rank  of  major  at  its  close.  The  British  holding  the  western 
end  of  Long  Island,  he  was  compelled  to  fly  the  country,  and  did 
not  see  his  home  until  after  the  British  troops  had  evacuated  New 
York.  He  married  Agnes  Bergen,  daughter  of  Johannes  Bergen, 
and  had  a  large  farm  at  "New  Lots.  His  children  were  John, 
Daniel,  Samuel,  and  Michael. 

From  this  branch  are  descended  several  men  of  distinction. 
His  grandson,  Williamson,  was  a  skilful  portrait  painter  and  a  pros- 
perous man  of  affairs.  His  great-grandson,  Daniel  wiiuamson, 
[1836],  was  educated  at  Rutgers,  and  after  graduation  ^'^^^*- 

entered  the  theological  department  and  took  orders.  As  soon  as 
he  was  ordained  he  offered  his  services  to  the  Foreign  Danieithe 
Missionary  Society,  which  sent  him  to  the  Amoy  Mis-  Evangelist 
sion,  in  China,  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  Here  he 
labored  for  over  thirty  years,  building  up  a  large  and  faithful  con- 
gregation of  Chinese  converts.  The  work  accomplished  by  Dr. 
Rapalje  and  his  heroic  assistants  borders  on  the  marvellous. 
When  he  went  there  in  the  early  sixties,  the  place  was  the  most 
notoriously  evil  on  the  China  coast.  Superstition  was  rife,  and 
the  Tong-An  district,  just  back  of  the  city  of  Amoy,  had  supplied 
pirates  to  the  China  Sea  from  time  immemorial. 

The  good  doctor  determined  upon  invading  the  latter  field. 
He  organized  all  the  missionaries  of  the  district  into  a  compact 
whole  and  assigned  to  each  a  specific  duty.  He  established 
preaching  centres  throughout  the  large  territory  and  placed  sev- 
eral at  the  more  important  points  among  the  rough  populace  of 
Tong-An.  For  many  years  the  task  seemed  fruitless,  and  then  it 
began  to  bring  forth  a  harvest.  Chapels,  schools,  and,  finally, 
churches,  were  founded.  In  1890,  the  turbulent  district  had  be- 
come quiet  and  orderly,  and  the  evangelists  found  themselves 


68  TRapalje 

supported  by  fifty  native  exhorters  of  ability  and  courage.  Then 
began  the  foundations  of  a  college  on  the  Island  of  Kulang-Su, 
and,  in  1895,  several  hundred  children  attended  the  schools  of  Dr. 
Daniel  and  his  associates. 

Rem  [1728],  the  son  of  George,  took  up  mercantile  life  in  New 
York,  which  he  made  his  residence.  Here  he  amassed  a  hand- 
some fortune,  and  fmaily  retired  from  business  and  settled  in  Pel- 
ham.  He  married  Ellen  Hardenbrook,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 
George  His  son  George  [1771]  was  graduated  from  Columbia 

the  Scholar  j,-,  ^Jg^^  ^j^^j  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1794.  He  had  a 
large  practice,  but  tlnally  confined  his  work  to  the  management 
of  his  estate,  especially  after  1805,  when  his  father  died,  leaving 
him  a  fortune.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  literary  tastes,  and  de- 
voted his  leisure  to  travel  and  study.  He  published  many  mono- 
graphs upon  special  topics,  and,  in  1834,  a  volume  upon  his  travels. 
He  married  Susan  Eliza  Provost,  daughter  of  Bishop  Provost. 

George  B.,  grandson  of  George,  who  was  a  grandson  of  Joris, 
was  a  famous  character  in  his  time,  and  was  noted  for  his  strange 
ill-luck.  His  grandfather,  George,  was  drowned  in  New  York 
Bay  in  1781,  his  cousin  George  in  1795,  and  his  uncle  George,  in 
1799,  met  a  similar  fate.  This  singular  coincidence  of  a  m.an,  his 
son,  and  grandson,  each  bearing  the  same  name  and  meeting  the 
same  doom,  attracted  great  attention.  George  B.  was  a  talented 
business  man  and  prospered  from  the  first.  In  his  youth  he  fell 
in  love  with  a  very  beautiful  girl  named  Miss  Sherred,  and  became 
affianced  to  her.  A  month  before  the  wedding-day  she  fell  sick, 
and  died  on  the  very  night  she  was  to  have  been  married.  From 
that  time  on  the  young  merchant  was  a  changed  man.  He  gave 
up  all  society,  especially  that  of  women,  and  found  his  solace  in 
the  excitement  of  trade.  He  lived  amid  the  humblest  surround- 
ings in  order  to  accumulate  wealth,  and  invested  his  gains  with 
great  shrewdness.  Before  his  death  he  owned  numerous  houses 
and  lands  between  Thirtieth  and  Fortieth  Streets,  Eighth  and 
Eleventh  Avenues.  His  cousin,  George  Bernard  [1784],  was  a 
merchant  of  high  standing  and  wealth  in  the  first  half  of  the 
nineteenth  century. 


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IRapalJc  69 

In  the  sixth  generation,  George,  the  son  of  Daniel,  grandson 
of  John,  was  distinguished  as  a  merchant  and  philanthropist.  He 
was  a  moving  spirit  in  the  charities  and  church  organ-  George  the 
izations  of  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Philanthropist 
He  married  Sarah  Elizabeth  Staples,  by  whom  he  had :  Ellen 
Maria,  George  Augustus— who  was  educated  for  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  but  died  before  he  was  ordained,— Sarah  Eliza- 
beth, and  Henry  Staples,  architect,  who  is  the  head  of  the  present 
branch  of  the  family  in  New  York. 

In  the  seventh  generation,  Jacob  [1788]  commands  attention. 
He  began  his  business  life  as  a  clerk  in  New  York,  where  his 
energy  and  courtesy  soon  made  him  liked  by  his  em-  Lieutenant 
ployers.   Attheoutbreakofthe  War  of  1812,  he  enlisted  J^"'' 

and  became  a  lieutenant  of  artillery.  He  made  a  good  record  as 
a  soldier,  and  the  regimental  order-books  which  he  wrote  are  still 
in  existence  and  bear  testimony  to  his  administrative  ability.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  started  business  in  Charleston,  S.  C, 
where,  in  18 16,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Secretary  of  State.  In 
1825,  he  returned  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  soon  became  a  leader  in 
the  City  Council. 

He  labored  for  the  widening  and  improving  of  Atlantic  Avenue, 
and  advocated  the  present  South  Ferry.  In  1837,  he  invented  a 
machine  with  which  he  proposed  to  clean  the  streets  of  New 
York.  His  invention  was  far  ahead  of  the  age.  It  did  the  work 
well,  but  it  aroused  the  fierce  enmity  of  the  street  sweepers  of  the 
time,  who  formed  a  mob,  chased  the  inventor  a  mile,  and  destroyed 
the  machine.  It  was  fully  twenty  years  before  his  idea  was  taken 
up  and  made  a  part  of  the  street-cleaning  equipment.  In  the 
forties,  with  Cornelius  J.  Bergen  and  Alexander  Bergen,  he  started 
a  movement  which  resulted  in  the  laying  out  of  Carroll  Park  and 
the  reclamation  of  the  marsh  lands  in  South  Brooklyn. 

This  measure  changed  what  before  had  been  an  unhealthful 
territory  into  a  fashionable  neighborhood  and  paved  the  way  for 
the  Erie  Basin  and  the  great  manufacturing  establishments  which 
now  are  so  striking  a  characteristic  of  that  part  of  the  bor- 
ough.    He  developed  the  district  of  Newtown  known  as  Laurel 


70  IRapalJe 

Hill,  and  gave  it  its  poetic  name.  With  J.  S.  T.  Stranahan  he 
was  one  of  the  first  to  advocate  the  establishment  of  Prospect 
Park,  and  lived  to  see  the  first  steps  taken  towards  the  realization 
of  that  project.  He  married  Elizabeth  Van  Mater,  by  whom  he 
had  seven  children.  Of  his  sons,  the  eldest,  Gilbert  Van  Mater, 
became  a  prominent  citizen  of  Staatsburgh,  Dutchess  County,  and 
the  youngest,  Augustus,  remained  in  New  York  and  Brooklyn. 

More  than  thirty  of  the  family  have  been  prominent  mer- 
chants in  the  metropolis,  and  during  the  Civil  War  over  eighty 
espoused  the  cause  of  the  Union.  The  Rapaljes  are  notable  for 
the  vigor  of  their  members,  the  large  size  of  their  families,  and 
the  preponderance  of  male  over  female  issue,  in  this  respect  they 
tower  over  the  other  old  families  of  the  State  with  but  one  excep- 
tion, the  Schencks.  The  strength  and  health  of  the  race  is 
accompanied  or  manifested  by  lightheartedness  and  geniality. 
This  is  modified  by  a  strong  religious  nature,  which  expresses 
itself  in  enthusiastic  church  work.  More  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  Rapaljes  have  been  deacons,  vestrymen,  and  trustees  in  the 
churches  of  the  Greater  New  York.  In  the  beginning,  they  were 
stalwart  pioneers,  and  assisted  in  the  settlement  of  at  least  fifty 
towns  in  New  York  and  New  jersey.  In  their  next  stage,  they 
were  skilful  farmers,  graziers,  and  carriers.  In  the  third,  they  were 
able  merchants,  owners  of  real  estate,  clergymen,  and  professional 
men.  In  peace,  they  have  always  striven  for  local  improvements 
and  municipal  reform,  and  in  war,  they  have  been  active  supporters 
of  the  nation.  They  have  cared  little  for  office  or  title,  finding 
their  chief  joy  in  the  performance  of  their  duty  —  domestic,  social, 
and  civil. 


George  Rapalje 

From  a  photograph  in  possession  of  Henry  S.  Rapalje,  Esq. 


IRemsen 


71 


74 


IRcmsen 


Vanderbeeck,  meaning  "of  the  Brook."  The  family  belonged 
to  the  nobility  of  Germany  and  of  the  Netherlands  at  a  very  early 
period.  The  first  reference  to  them  in  the  ancient  chronicles 
was  in  1162  a.d.,  when  the  Emperor  Frederick  Barbarossa  pre- 
sented a  valorous  knight  of  their  race  with  a  handsome  coat-of- 
arms.  From  that  time  up  to  the  present  century  their  name  has 
been  frequent  in  the  annals  of  both  Germany  and  Holland, 
where  they  earned  honor  by  courage  in  war  and  public  services 
in  peace. 

The  founder  of  the  race  in  America  was  Rem  Jansen  Vander- 
beeck, who  came  to  the  New  Netherlands  in  1642.  He  was  a 
„     ,  farmer,  and  in  addition  a  skilful  blacksmith.    At  that 

Rem  Jansen  ' 

Vanderbeeck  time  the  young  men  of  Holland  were  obliged  by  law 
the  Founder  ^^^  custom  to  leam  a  regular  trade  in  addition  to  their 
ordinary  calling.  This  was  dohe  for  the  protection  of  the  com- 
munity in  the  event  of  inundation  by  the  sea  or  of  beleaguerment 
by  a  foreign  army.  Soon  after  Rem's  arrival  he  espoused  Jannetje, 
the  handsome  daughter  of  joris  Jansen  de  Rapalje,  and  settled  in 
Albany,  then  Fort  Orange.  He  took  up  a  farm,  opened  a  forge, 
and  prospered  in  both  callings.  He  was  a  man  of  powerful 
physique  and  sweet  disposition,  a  good-natured,  laughing  giant, 
who  won  the  affections  of  young  and  old.  A  kind  husband  and 
a  loving  father,  he  soon  had  ample  opportunity  for  the  use  of  both 
virtues,  having  a  family  of  which  fifteen  grew  up  and  married. 

He  accumulated  property  and  would  doubtless  have  remained 
in  his  first  home  but  for  the  rumors  of  an  Indian  uprising.  He 
had  no  fear  for  himself,  but  much  solicitude  for  his  little  ones. 
At  the  same  time,  his  father-in-law,  Joris,  bought  a  large  estate  at 
the  Wallabout,  and  added  his  persuasion  to  the  other  incentives 
for  removal.  Rem  complied  and  took  up  a  fine  tract  of  meadow 
and  marshland  at  the  Wallabout,  which  was  held  by  the  family 
more  than  two  hundred  years.  In  Brooklyn  he  was  as  popular 
as  at  Fort  Orange.  Shortly  after  his  arrival,  he  was  made  an 
official,  and  during  the  second  Dutch  administration  he  became  a 
magistrate.  Of  his  fair  wife  a  family  tradition  says  that  in  her 
babyhood  she  with  her  Indian  nurse  sailed  across  Buttermilk 


IRemsen  75 

Channel  in  a  Dutch  washtub.  That  body  of  water  between 
Governor's  Island  and  Brooklyn,  which  now  floats  an  ocean 
steamer,  was  then  a  shallow  estuary,  which  at  very  low  tide 
could  be  waded  across  by  a  grown  man. 

Rem  died  in  168 1,  and  at  his  funeral  his  fifteen  children  with 
their  wives,  husbands,  and  children  were  present.  It  was  a  seven- 
days'  talk  in  New  York,  and  made  so  deep  an  impression  upon 
the  public  mind  that  it  is  probable  both  his  offspring  and  the 
public  considered  the  dead  man  as  a  greater  personality  than  the 
race  of  which  he  was  a  member,  and  so  induced  the  adoption  of 
Remsen  as  a  family  name  from  that  time  on.  The  sons  were  Jan, 
Joris,  Rem,  Jacob,  Jeromus,  Daniel,  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jeremias. 
Of  the  daughters,  Anna  married  Jan  G.  Dorlandt,  Hildegond  mar- 
ried Aris  j.  Vanderbilt,  Femmetie,  Joseph  Hegeman,  Jannetje, 
Garret  H.  Van  Nostrand,  Catalina,  Elbert  Adriense,  and  Sarah, 
Martin  Adriense. 

The  members  of  the  second  generation  left  the  paternal  home- 
stead and  established  themselves  at  various  points.  Jan  [1648] 
became  a  resident  at   Flatbush,   as  did  his  brother  .^^^^ 

Daniel.  Joris  settled  in  Brooklyn,  near  the  ferry.  Isaac  Fiatbush 
[1673]  became  a  Brooklynite.  Rem,  Jr.,  went  to  Flat-  Abraham 
bush.  Jeremias  retained  the  homestead,  and  Abraham  "^Newtown 
settled  in  Newtown.  No  less  than  six  of  the  sons  left  families 
which  became  the  nuclei  in  the  next  generation  of  large  and 
influential  branches. 

In  this  third  generation,  Rem,  the  son  of  Jan,  removed  to 
Staten  Island,  where  he  became  a  wealthy  farmer  and  justice  of 
the  peace.    John  and  Isaac,  the  sons  of  Isaac,  settled  Rem 

at  Oyster  Bay,  where  they  were  the  founders  of  a  the  justice 
powerful  clan.  Rem,  the  son  of  Rem,  was  a  distinguished  church- 
man in  Brooklyn,  whose  chief  interest  in  life  was  the  education 
of  his  children.  Besides  the  ordinary  tuition  of  the  schools,  sup- 
plemented by  instruction  at  home,  he  had  each  apprenticed  to 
a  trade.  When  the  youths  came  of  age  he  gave  them  each  a  por- 
tion of  his  estate  so  as  to  start  them  in  life.  The  sons  settled  in 
New  York,  where  they  founded  an  important  branch  of  the  family. 


76  TRcmsen 

They  were  seven  in  number,  and  seemed  to  act  always  upon  the 
rule  of  "all  for  one  and  one  for  all." 

Captain  Jeromus  [170',],  the  son  of  Abraham,  was  probably 
the  most  distinguished  member  of  this  generation.  He  was  a 
Captain  thrifty  farmer,  who  saved  enough  money  from  his  own 
Jeromus  f^^j^  ^0  purchase  the  parental  homestead  from  the  other 
heirs  and  add  it  to  his  own  estate.  He  was  active  in  church  and 
state,  and  held  many  offices  of  honor  and  dignity.  He  had  a 
warlike  vein  in  his  composition,  and  from  early  manhood  to  old 
age  was  connected  with  the  militia,  in  which  he  rose  from  private 
Rem  the  to  captaiu.  Rem,  the  son  of  Jeremias,  was  another 
Trustee  forccful  individuality.  He  removed  from  the  old  home- 
stead at  the  Wallabout  to  Bedford,  where  he  took  up  a  large 
farm.  He  soon  became  a  leader  in  that  settlement,  and  was 
chosen  a  trustee  of  Brooklyn,  in  which  office  he  served  from  1 727 
to  1776.  His  brother  Christopher  was  a  farmer  and  land-owner, 
who  invested  wisely  in  real  estate  at  Fulton  Ferry,  the  Walla- 
bout, and  Newtown.  He  left  a  large  fortune,  which  went  to 
his  two  daughters,  Heyltie,  who  married  Johannes  Schenck,  and 
Phoebe,  who  married  William  Howard. 

In  the  fourth  generation  the  sons  of  Rem  were  commanding 
figures.  They  were  Abraham  [1730],  Garrett  [1736],  Aert  [1737], 
Major  and  Luke  [1749].    The  four  were  fine  specimens  of 

Abraham  Knickerbocker  manhood.  Their  education  had  been 
excellent,  and  had  included  a  thorough  course  in  technical  train- 
Lieutenant  ing.  In  the  decade  prior  to  the  Revolution  they  were 
Garrett  ^^  outspokeu  iu  favor  of  colonial  independence  that 

they  were  frequently  threatened  with  prosecution  for  treason. 
Even  before  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  they  had  supplied  them- 
selves with  a  full  military  equipment,  and  Aert  and  Luke,  who 
were  machinists  and  wheelwrights  by  trade,  started  the  repair  of 
firearms  for  patriotic  neighbors  and  friends. 

The  beginning  of  the  war  found  them  ready  and  eager  for 
Luke  the  ord-  actiou.  Abraham  and  Garrett  wcut  to  the  frout,  whcre 
nance-Master  ^]-,gy  ployed  superb  soldiers,  the  former  rising  to  be 
a  major,  and  the  latter  to  be  a  lieutenant.     Luke  and  Aert,  on  ac- 


The  Remsen  Farm  House 

From  :i  print  in  Kj/i-"//»(''\  M.iiiu.il.  iSs8 


Bedford  Corners  in  1770 


From  an  oM  piint 


TRemsen  -n 

count  of  their  technical  knowledge,  were  made  masters  of  ord- 
nance, their  skill  proving  invaluable  to  the  colonists.  With  the 
British  victories  on  Long  Island,  the  four  brothers  retreated,  first 
destroying  everything  in  their  homes,  likely  to  be  of  value  to  the 
foe,  which  they  could  not  carry  away.  During  the  remainder  of 
the  war  the  two  soldiers  were  at  the  front,  while  the  two  ma- 
chinists were  high  in  command  in  the  Continental  workshops  at 
Peekskill.     Of  Aert  and  his  wonderful  strength  many  Aert 

stories  are  told.  On  one  occasion,  when  a  speculator  the  strong 
tried  to  palm  off  an  inferior  rifle  upon  the  Government,  the  big 
Long  Islander,  remarking,  "  Wc  don't  want  this  kind  of  steel," 
took  the  weapon  and  bent  it  to  a  right  angle  with  his  hands  and 
knee.  At  the  conclusion  of  peace,  the  valiant  quartet  returned  to 
their  home  on  the  paternal  farm,  and  there  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  days. 

No  less  than  ten  members  of  this  generation  were  eminent 
merchants  in  New  York.  All  accumulated  goodly  estates,  and 
one,  Hendrick  [1708],  became  a  man  of  great  wealth.  Hendrickthe 
Through  their  opulence,  education,  numbers,  and  high  Merchant 
character,  they  were  prominent  in  New  York  society,  where  they 
contracted  many  admirable  matrimonial  alliances.  In  the  main, 
they  married  into  the  old  Knickerbocker  families,  more  especially 
those  of  Dutch  and  Huguenot  descent. 

In  the  fifth  generation  the  most  noticeable  figure  was  Hen- 
drick, or  Henry,  the  merchant  [1736].  He  inherited  his  father's 
business,  as  well  as  a  handsome  fortune,  and  from  the  Henry 

time  he  reached  manhood's  estate  he  played  an  active  ^""^  Patriot 
role  in  commercial,  religious,  political,  and  social  affairs.  His 
strong  love  of  liberty  and  his  intense  enthusiasm  gained  for  him 
the  sobriquet  of  "  Henry  the  Whig"  before  the  Revolution,  and 
' '  Henry  the  Patriot "  afterwards.  He  was  a  member  of  the  famous 
Committee  of  One  Hundred,  and  was  chairman  of  the  importers 
of  New  York,  especially  those  whose  trade  was  with  Great 
Britain.  They  met,  October  13,  1774,  and  at  his  suggestion 
formed  the  first  boycott  known  in  American  history.  This  was 
aimed  at  speculators,  more  especially  unscrupulous  adventurers 


78  IRemscn 

from  Great  Britain,  who  were  taking  advantage  of  the  troublous 
times  to  make  corners  in  the  necessaries  of  life. 

The  chief  personality  of  the  sixth  generation  was  Henry  [1762], 
son  of  Henry  the  Whig.  He  was  tlnely  educated  and  began  active 
Henry  li^  ^s  a  clerk  in  his  father's  counting-house.     He  left 

the  Banker  ^j^g  ^q^\^  iq  become  private  secretary  to  the  Hon.  John 
Jay,  when  the  latter  was  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs.  In  1790,  he 
returned  to  business  life,  and  became  his  father's  partner.  Five 
years  later  he  gave  up  private  business  to  become  first  teller  of  the 
United  States  Branch  Bank.  From  this  time  on  his  life  was  de- 
voted to  financial  institutions,  for  which  he  displayed  an  aptitude 
bordering  upon  genius.  The  only  interruption  to  this  career  was 
when,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  President,  he  became 
private  secretary  to  Thomas  Jefferson.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Captain  Abraham  R.  de  Peyster,  by  whom  he  had 
nine  children. 

This  generation  was  marked  by  wealth  and  culture.  More 
than  fifty  members  possessed  great  estates;  some  twenty  were 
college  graduates  who  attained  distinction  in  law,  medicine,  and 
the  political  arena.  The  largest  number  belonged  to  New  York 
City;  next  in  importance  were  those  of  Brooklyn,  while  smaller 
groups  were  scattered  in  Staten  Island,  Pennsylvania,  and  other 
places. 

In  the  seventh  generation  were  eminent  scholars  and  capital- 
ists. William  [ 1 8 1 5],  son  of  Henry,  was  graduated  from  Princeton 
William  the  1836,  and  admitted  to  the  New  York  bar  in  1839.  He 
Financier  relinquished  practice  to  attend  to  the  large  estates  left 
by  his  father  and  grandfather.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  banks 
and  financial  corporations,  and  left  a  large  estate.  He  married 
Jane  Suydam,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children.  Among  the 
organizations  to  which  he  belonged  were  the  St.  Nicholas  Society 
and  the  American  Geographical  Society,  of  both  of  which  he  was 
a  founder.  Robert  G.,  brother  of  William,  was  an  active  man  in 
the  financial  world  during  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
He  married  Mary  Delprat,  by  whom  he  had  Georgiana  Delprat, 
who  married  Charles  Betts  Hillhouse. 


IRemsen  79 

In  the  eighth  generation  have  been  many  professional  men  of 
high  repute.  Dr.  Charles,  the  son  of  William,  was  a  physician,  and 
an  executor  of  his  father's  estate.     He  was  graduated 

Dr.  Charles 

from  Princeton  (1877).     He  married  Lilian  Livingston 

Jones,  by  whom  he  had  issue.     He  is  represented  in  the  ninth 

generation  by  his  son  William.     He  has  an  estate  at  Remsensburg. 

Dr.  Robert  George  was  graduated  from  the  New  York 
University  (1873),  and  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons, Columbia  (1876).  Henry  [1852]  was  graduated  Doctor 
from  Columbia  (1871).  Phoenix  was  graduated  from  Roberto. 
Columbia  (1867),  and  resided  on  the  family  estate  at  West  Islip, 
"N.  Y.  Jacob  D.  [1855]  was  educated  at  Erasmus  Hall  jacobo.  the 
and  the  Brooklyn  Polytechnic.  He  early  displayed  Assemblyman 
talent  for  political  life,  and  began  his  career  as  a  justice  of  the 
peace.  On  the  annexation  of  Flatlands  to  Brooklyn,  he  became 
a  city  assessor,  and  remained  such  until  the  consolidation  of  the 
boroughs  into  the  greater  city.  In  1899,  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  Assembly,  and  re-elected  in  1900  and  1901. 

An  eminent  living  representative  of  the  race  is  Dr.  Ira  [1846], 
now  President  of  Johns  Hopkins  University.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  City,  studied  at  the  City  College,  and  was 

-^'  J  !=>    y  President  Ira 

graduated  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
(1867).  He  went  abroad  to  continue  his  scientific  studies,  spent 
a  year  in  Munich,  and  then  took  a  course  in  Goettingen,  where 
he  took  the  degree  of  Ph.D.  (1870).  For  the  next  two  years  he 
served  as  assistant  professor  in  the  University  of  Tuebingen,  Ger- 
many, and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  accepted  the  professor- 
ship of  chemistry  and  physics  at  Williams  College.  Here  he 
achieved  fame  by  his  brilliant  researches  in  higher  inorganic  and 
synthetic  chemistry.  In  1876,  his  rising  fame  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  founders  of  Johns  Hopkins  University,  who  invited 
him  to  take  the  chair  of  chemistry  in  that  institution.  He  ac- 
cepted the  offer,  and  from  that  time  until  to-day  has  devoted 
himself  to  researches  in  chemical  and  electrical  fields,  in  which  he 
has  become  one  of  the  greatest  experts  of  the  world.  In  1879, 
he  founded  the  American  Chemical  Journal,  of  which  he  has 


8o  TRemsen 

been  the  editor,  and  to  which  he  has  largely  contributed  ever 
since.  He  has  written  and  translated  many  standard  works  upon 
chemistry,  while  numerous  monographs  have  become  classics 
in  the  literature  of  that  science.  Upon  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Oilman  from  the  Presidency  of  Johns  Hopkins  University,  he  was 
elected  to  that  post.  In  1893,  Columbia  University  conferred 
upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of  LLD.,  and  Yale  chose  him  for 
similar  distinction  at  her  bicentennial.  He  is  a  member  of  numer- 
ous chemical  and  scientific  societies  at  home  and  abroad,  and  may 
be  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  finest  scientific  intellects  this 
country  has  yet  produced. 

The  history  of  the  Remsens  has  followed  a  different  line  of 
development  from  that  of  any  other  Knickerbocker  family.  Like 
most  of  the  early  immigrants  from  the  Netherlands,  they  were 
dowered  with  great  intelligence,  religiousness,  and  probity,  and 
were  distinguished  for  physical  health  and  vigor.  They  took  to 
husbandry  and  the  manual  trades,  succeeding  in  both  and  dis- 
playing industrial  and  mechanical  aptitude  of  a  high  character. 
Not  until  the  closing  of  the  eighteenth  century  was  there  any 
break  from  this  mode  of  life.  Then,  as  if  they  were  no  longer 
satisfied  with  their  ancestral  occupations,  and  the  wealth  which 
these  had  produced,  they  turned  from  the  plough  to  the  counting- 
house,  the  college,  and  the  political  forum.  During  the  nine- 
teenth century  these  tendencies  developed,  until  to-day  the  family 
name  is  more  or  less  identified  with  scientific,  collegiate,  and 
political  affairs. 


IRenwick 


8l 


Fro/t'ssor  Jjines  Rciiwick 

From  iiit  oi!  pai>itiiig  ozciieJ  hy  Mrs.  James  Renwick 


XXVIll 


RENWICK 


O  Scotland  the  Empire  State  owes 
some  of  its  best  blood.  The  thrift 
and  intellectuality  which  so  mark 
the  Scotch  character  found  full  field 
for  their  development  in  the  New 
World,  and  achieved  triumphs  which 
would  have  been  impossible  in  the 
home  country,  for  lack  of  opportu- 
nity. Beyond  the  substantial  virtues 
of  the  Caledonian  nature  are  moral 
and  spiritual  traits  of  even  greater 
value.  From  time  immemorial  the 
people  of  the  Land-o'-Cakes,  to  use  Burns's  pet  phrase,  have 
been  noted  for  their  affection,  loyalty,  fidelity  to  duty,  and  strong 
religious  convictions.  These  qualities  were  developed  by  the 
stern  and  rigorous  life  demanded  by  the  necessities  of  the  country. 
in  an  inclement  and  sterile  land  Nature  compels  the  citizens  to 
lead  simple,  laborious,  and  upright  lives.  There  is  no  other 
alternative.  Any  other  course  of  living  implies  pauperism  and 
extinction. 

The  qualities  enumerated  mark  the  history  of  the  Renwick 
family,  which  has  attained  distinction  in  the  land  of  its  birth  and 
that  of  its  adoption.  In  the  former  they  were  soldiers,  jamesthe 
lawyers,  merchants,  and  divines.     One  of  them,  James  Martyr 

Renwick,  the  martyr,  a  famous  soldier  and  clergyman  of  the 

83 


84  IRenwicU 

seventeenth  century,  was  put  to  death  for  his  religious  and 
political  opinions.  He  met  his  fate  with  a  serenity  which  im- 
pressed deeply  the  spectators  of  his  execution. 

The  founder  of  the  family  in  the  United  States  was  James 
[1744],  who  came  to  New  York  from  Manchester,  England,  in 
James  the  i?^)'  shortly  after  the  American  Revolution.  He  was 
Founder  ^u  eutcrprising  and  long-headed  merchant,  who  was 
well  known  in  the  mercantile  world  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
A  good  father  and  a  kind  husband,  he  was  also  a  public-spirited 
and  philanthropic  citizen.  In  1789,  we  find  him,  with  a  group 
of  friends,  organizing  The  Mercantile  Society  for  Employing  the 
Industrious  Poor  and  Promoting  Manufacturing.  His  generosity 
was  noted,  especially  to  church  and  charitable  work. 

Of  his  two  children,  William  [1769]  was  an  able  merchant, 
who  established  a  direct  traffic  between  Liverpool  and  New  York. 
William  the  ^^  that  time  Liverpool  was  a  place  of  but  little  impor- 
Merchant  tauce,  aud  the  venture  was  regarded  as  a  wild  specu- 
lation. It  proved  a  success  and  gave  renown  to  its  author.  So 
far  as  history  is  concerned,  he  is  not  so  commanding  a  figure  as  his 
beautiful  wife.  She  was  Jean  Jeffrey,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Andrew 
JelTrey,  of  the  Manse,  Lochmaben.  Her  beauty  and  talents  made 
her  a  belle  when  a  mere  child,  and  attracted  the  admiration  of  the 
noet,  Burn.',  who  immortalized  her  in  three  of  his  finest  poems. 
The  union  of  James  and  Jean  was  very  happy,  and  was  blessed 
with  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  five 
were  to  become  important  members  of  New  York  life. 

In  the  third  generation.  Professor  James  [1792]  was  born  in 
Liverpool,  while  his  parents  were  on  a  visit  to  the  old  country. 
Professor  He  was  of  studious  habits,  and  entered  Columbia  Col- 
james  jggg  ^^  |^}-,g  g^Hy  agc  of  eleveu,  being  then  on  a  par 

with  most  boys  of  fifteen.  He  was  graduated  in  1807,  being  the 
first  in  his  class,  which  contained  such  brilliant  men  as  Judge 
Bronk,  Dr.  Burrell,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hill,  and  James  Van  Cort- 
landt.  The  following  year  he  received  the  degree  of  A.M.,  and  in 
181 3,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  was  appointed  instructor  in  natural 
and  experimental  philosophy.    In  1820,  he  was  made  professor  of 


IRenwtcl?  '  85 

natural  and  experimental  philosophy  and  chemistry.  He  held  this 
double  chair  with  rare  ability  for  thirty-three  years,  when  he  was 
made  professor  emeritus.  He  served  as  trustee  of  the  college 
from  1817  to  1820.  During  the  topographical  survey  of  the  United 
States,  there  was  a  large  demand  for  scientists,  and,  at  the  request 
of  the  authorities  at  Washington,  he  entered  the  service  as  an  en- 
gineer, with  the  rank  of  major,  and  devoted  his  summers  to  the 
prosecution  of  Government  work.  This  occupied  him  for  many 
years. 

in  1838,  he  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  for  the  exploration 
and  delimitation  of  the  northeast  boundary  between  the  United 
States  and  New  Brunswick.  In  1829,  Columbia  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  LLD.  For  an  ordinary  man  these  labors 
would  have  been  ample,  but  to  the  Professor  they  were  stimu- 
lants to  further  endeavor.  He  seemed  to  begrudge  all  time  that 
was  not  applied  to  intellectual  work.  He  conducted  chemical 
and  physical  experiments,  translated  works  from  the  French, 
edited  English  text-books  on  science,  compiled  reports,  composed 
biographies,  text-books,  and  compendia;  contributed  to  the  press 
of  the  period,  and  frequently  acted  as  editor.  In  the  list  of  his 
literary  labors  appear  two  volumes  of  his  translations,  four  of  his 
editing,  and  fourteen  of  his  own  authorship,  not  to  mention  re- 
ports, commentaries,  and  fugitive  articles.  His  was  the  first  text- 
book on  natural  philosophy  or  physics  ever  published  in  the 
United  States,  and  also  the  first  hand-book  on  geology. 

He  was  among  the  first  to  perceive  the  great  historical  im- 
portance of  the  founders  of  the  Republic,  and  urged  upon  the 
writers  of  his  time  the  duty  of  recording  the  events  and  the  in- 
dividuals of  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  not 
leaving  them  for  time  to  cover  with  myth,  exaggeration,  and 
distortion.  It  was  in  pursuance  of  this  theory  that  he  wrote  the 
lives  of  David  Rittenhouse,  Robert  Fulton,  Count  Rumford,  De 
Witt  Clinton,  and  (with  Henry  B.  Renwick,  his  oldest  son)  of 
John  Jay  and  Alexander  Hamilton.  Outside  of  his  fame  as  a 
pedagogue,  a  scholar,  and  scientist,  he  would  have  enjoyed 
celebrity  from  his  contributions  to  American  literature.     He  loved 


86  IRenwlck 

the  great  college  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  left  nothing 
undone  to  increase  its  influence  and  power.  He  entered  there 
his  three  sons,  all  of  whom  were  to  make  admirable  records  for 
themselves  in  after  life;  assisted  poor  students;  secured  donations 
from  private  citizens;  endeavored  to  create  closer  ties  between 
the  institution  and  scientific  branches  of  the  national  government, 
and  advocated  an  enlarged  curriculum  in  the  sciences  and  modern 
languages.  Looked  at  after  the  lapse  of  more  than  a  half-century, 
he  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  the  wisest  and  most  distinguished 
men  of  his  age.  He  married  Margaret  Ann  Brevoort,  by  whom 
he  had  three  sons  and  one  daughter. 

Robert  Jeffrey,  brother  of  the  Professor,  was  graduated  from 

Columbia  (1809),  and  took  up  a  mercantile  career.     He  prospered 

and  increased  his  prosperity  by  marrying  Mary  Hobart 

Robert  J. 

Rhinelander,  a  belle  and  heiress.  He  was  a  leading 
participant  in  the  social  world  and  prominent  in  philanthropic 
activities.  He  had  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 
The  three  sisters  of  Professor  James  were  society  leaders, 
who  married  advantageously,  as  follows:  Jane,  Admiral  Charles 
Wilkes;  Isabella,  Charles  Smedburg;  and  Agnes,  the  Rev.  James 
Henry. 

In  the  fourth  generation  four  sons  kept  up  the  high  records 
of  their  ancestry.     Henry  Brevoort  [18 17],  son  of  Professor  James, 

was  graduated  from  Columbia  in  1833,  and  took  up 

Henry 

Brevoort,  the  profcssiou  of  civil  engineering.  He  became  an  as- 
Engmeer  sistant  engineer  in  the  United  States  service,  where  he 
continued  six  years,  and  was  then  promoted  to  be  first  assistant 
astronomer  of  the  United  States  Boundary  Commission  in  1839- 
1842.  In  1848,  he  was  made  Examiner  in  the  Patent  Office,  with 
special  reference  to  mechanical,  chemical,  and  physical  inventions. 
The  life  was  too  sedentary,  and  in  1853  he  resigned  to  become 
Inspector  of  Steamboat  Engines  for  the  District  of  New  York.  He 
held  this  office  some  years,  relinquishing  it  to  become  a  con- 
sulting mechanical  engineer,  in  which  capacity  he  achieved  great 
fame.  In  his  spare  hours  he  wrote  extensively,  more  particularly 
upon  scientific  topics,  and  in  his  early  manhood  he  was  joint 


Grace  Church,  Broadway,  N.  Y. 


IRcnwich  87 

author  with  his  father,  as  before  mentioned.  He  married  Mar- 
garet Janney,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Janney,  by  whom  he  had 
one  daughter  and  one  son. 

James,  the  architect  [18 18],  second  son  of  Professor  James, 
was  graduated  from  Columbia  (1836).  This  was  a  famous  class 
in  college  history,  having  among  its  number  John  james,  the 
Graham,  the  great  lawyer,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  Architect 
Hon.  John  Jay  11.,  the  Rev.  Henry  McVicar,  the  Rev.  D.  M. 
Quackenbush,  and  the  Rev.  Charles  Seymour.  He  inherited  a 
love  of  architecture,  of  calculation,  drawing,  and  engineering  from 
his  father.  His  career  began  as  a  surveyor  and  civil  engineer 
on  the  Erie  Railway.  He  went  thence  to  the  Croton  Aqueduct, 
where  he  served  as  superintendent  of  construction  of  the  dis- 
tributing reservoir  on  Fifth  Avenue  and  Forty-second  Street, 
which  was  lately  demolished  to  make  room  for  the  New  York 
Public  Library.  His  next  work  was  the  making  of  the  model  for 
a  fountain  in  Union  Square.  Shortly  after  this  came  his  entree  in 
the  world  of  architecture. 

The  vestry  of  Grace  Church  had  purchased  the  land  on 
Broadway,  opposite  Eleventh  Street,  and  had  called  for  plans 
from  the  architects  of  the  time  for  a  church,  to  be  erected  upon 
the  site.  James  submitted  designs  which,  when  exhibited,  re- 
ceived the  highest  praise  from  the  press  and  the  public,  and  were 
finally  accepted  by  the  vestry.  The  building,  which  is  one  of  the 
finest  Gothic  structures  in  the  country,  was  completed  in  1845. 
This  is  one  of  the  few  famous  churches  in  which  all  the  work 
is  to  be  credited  to  one  man.  His  were  the  original  and  final 
plans,  the  working  drawings,  nearly  all  of  the  delicate  tracery 
and  ornamentation  of  the  exterior,  and  the  furniture  and  orna- 
mentation of  the  interior.  It  is  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  the 
French  fourteenth-century  school  of  Gothic  art  upon  the  Western 
Continent.  When  it  was  finished  it  made  its  designer  famous  on 
both  sides  of  the  ocean.  From  this  time  James  was  a  recognized 
authority  upon  church  architecture  in  America,  and  was  called 
upon  to  prepare  plans  for  buildings,  public  and  private.  He  was 
the  architect  of  Calvary  Church,  on  Fourth  Avenue,  New  York, 


88  IRenwicft 

the  Church  of  the  Puritans,  formerly  on  Union  Square,  New  York, 
and  of  the  Smithsonian  histitution  and  the  Corcoran  Art  Gallery 
at  the  national  capital.  The  Smithsonian  is  a  noble  pile  of  brown- 
stone  in  modified  Elizabethan  style,  which  suggests  the  ancient 
halls  of  Oxford  University. 

In  1853,  he  was  commissioned  by  the  Archbishop  of  New 
York  to  draw  plans  for  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  on  Fifth  Avenue, 
between  Fiftieth  and  Fifty-first  streets.  The  commission  was 
the  most  important  one  in  church  construction  which  has  ever 
been  given  in  the  history  of  the  metropolis.  James  perceived 
the  responsibility  of  the  opportunity,  and  devoted  himself  to  his 
task  so  tirelessly  that  he  nearly  broke  down  from  overwork. 
The  plans  were  finished,  submitted,  and  accepted.  When  pub- 
lished, they  elicited  the  highest  praise  from  critics  the  world 
over.  In  1858,  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  and  in  1879  the  building 
was  dedicated  by  Cardinal  McCloskey.  The  structure  is  built  of 
white  marble,  with  a  basement  course  of  Quincy  granite.  It  has 
magnificent  twin  towers  on  the  west  fafade,  and  a  main  door 
which  is  of  remarkable  beauty.  The  style  is  the  decorated  or 
geometric  of  the  thirteenth  century,  of  which  the  cathedral  at 
Rheims  is  the  best  foreign  example.  In  1887,  work  was  begun 
upon  the  spires  which  terminate  the  two  towers,  and  these  were 
finished  a  few  years  ago.  To-day,  St.  Patrick's  is  undoubtedly 
the  handsomest  and  most  impressive  Gothic  church  in  the 
New  World. 

Other  buildings  which  illustrate  the  broad  taste  and  versa- 
tility of  James  are  St.  Bartholomew's  Church,  Vassar  College, 
the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  in  New  York;  St.  Ann's  in  Brooklyn; 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  building,  on  Fourth 
Avenue  and  Twenty-third  Street,  New  York;  and  a  hundred 
other  buildings  of  lesser  importance.  He  may  certainly  be  styled 
the  first  of  the  great  American  architects.  He  married  Anna  L. 
Aspinwall,  daughter  of  William  H.  Aspinwall,  the  merchant,  for 
whom  is  named  the  City  of  Aspinwall  upon  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama.    There  was  no  issue  to  the  marriage. 

Edward  Sabine  [1823],  third  son  of  Professor  James,  was 


K 


St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  Fifth  Avenue 


IRcnwlcft  89 

graduated  from  Columbia  (1839),  which  also  conferred  upon  him 

the  degree  of  A.M.     Even  before  he  went  to  college  he  displayed 

a  rare  talent  for  machinery,  so  that  upon  graduation  Edward 

he  but  followed  his  bent  in  becoming  the  superintend-  sabine, 

,,,.,,        ,  T~>  I  /-  Engineer 

ent  of  iron  works  in  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.  In  a  few  years 
he  was  recognized  as  an  expert  in  civil,  mechanical,  and  steam 
engineering  and  the  many  industries  upon  which  these  profes- 
sions are  based.  He  invented  a  number  of  railway  appliances 
of  value,  including  a  chair  for  holding  together  ends  of  rails,  an 
improved  frog,  and  an  improved  switch,  in  the  world  of  steam 
navigation  the  credit  may  be  ascribed  to  him  for  an  efficient 
cut-off  for  steam  engines,  an  improvement  in  the  connection 
between  the  moving  parts  and  the  valve  system,  and  an  in- 
genious method  of  side  propulsion  for  steamers  and  bulky  craft. 

He  shares  with  Cyrus  Hall  McCormick  the  honor  of  having 
created  the  self-binding  reaper.  Between  1870  and  1890,  he  gave 
careful  study  to  the  artificial  hatching  of  poultry,  and  was  the 
first  to  determine  the  condition  under  which  this  process  could  be 
applied.  These  studies  were  expressed  in  concrete  form  by 
many  incubators,  and  afterwards  by  artificial  brooders.  Before  he 
undertook  the  work  artificial  hatching  had  never  been  a  profitable 
enterprise,  but  long  before  he  finished  his  system  it  had  become 
a  source  of  handsome  revenue  to  tens  of  thousands  of  farmers 
in  this  country  and  Canada.  His  careful  analysis  of  the  matter 
was  an  invaluable  addition  to  practical  poultry-raising.  His  re- 
searches enabled  every  farmer  to  form  a  clear  conception  of  the  mat- 
ter and  to  incubate  and  brood  with  home-made  mechanisms.  The 
system  was  applied  to  the  eggs  of  chickens,  ducks,  geese,  turkeys, 
pigeons,  and  other  birds  employed  for  food  purposes. 

His  greatest  scientific  feat  was  accomplished  in  1862.  The 
giant  steamer  Great  Eastern  had  injured  its  bilge,  a  portion 
eighty-two  feet  long  and  ten  feet  wide  having  been  broken. 
There  was  no  dry  dock  large  enough  for  the  leviathan,  and  the 
size  of  the  vessel  made  it  impossible  to  beach  or  careen  it  suffi- 
ciently to  reach  the  injured  surface.  With  his  brother,  Henry 
Brevoort,  he  improvised  an  appliance  upon  the  coffer-dam  principle, 


90  IRcnwich 

which  enabled  the  workmen  to  remove  the  damaged  plates 
and  backing  and  replace  them  with  new  materials.  The  task  had 
been  pronounced  impossible  by  many  of  the  chief  authorities  of 
the  time,  so  that  the  exploit  became  a  nine  days'  wonder  to 
navigators,  ship-builders,  and  naval  men. 

He  wrote  a  number  of  monographs  upon  various  technical 
subjects  connected  with  the  industries  in  which  he  was  inter- 
ested. His  erudition  and  technical  skill  so  impressed  the  com- 
munity that  from  the  early  fifties  on  he  was  in  constant 
employment  as  an  expert  in  patent  suits  and  scientific  inquiries 
by  public  and  private  bodies.  He  married  Elizabeth  Alice  Bre- 
voort,  daughter  of  Henry  Brevoort,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons 
and  one  daughter. 

Laura,  only  daughter  of  Professor  James,  married  John  A. 
Munroe. 

Of  the  children  of  Robert  Jeffrey,  William  Rhinelander  [1816], 

the  oldest  son,  was  graduated  from  Columbia  (1833),  and  took 

up  a  mercantile  career.     He  was  prominent  in  social, 

William  R.  ...  ,     ,.  .      ,  ,,  ■     ,     r^,.  ^ 

religious,  and  literary  circles.  He  married  Eliza  S. 
Crosby,  daughter  of  William  Bedlow  Crosby,  by  whom  he  had 
two  sons  and  three  daughters.  Robert  Jeffrey  [1822]  died  un- 
married at  the  age  of  thirty-two. 

Frederick  William,  the  third  son,  was  twice  married  —  first  to 
Julia  Kortright,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  and,  second,  to  Annie 
Cooke. 

Jane  Jeffrey  [1819],  the  oldest  daughter  of  Robert  Jeffrey, 
married  S.  Stanhope  Callender,  by  whom  she  had  one  child, 
Mary  Renwick  Callender.  Mary  Rhinelander  [1825]  married 
Benjamin  L.  Swan  11. 

The  head  of  the  fifth  generation  is  James  Armstrong,  oldest 
son  of  Henry  Brevoort.  He  was  graduated  from  Columbia 
James  (^^7^)>  where  he  also  obtained  the  degrees  of  A.M., 

Armstrong,  and  of  LL.B.,  from  the  Columbia  Law  School  in  1879. 
He  is  an  active  member  of  the  New  York  bar.  He 
married  Viola  Blodget,  daughter  of  Charles  F.  Blodget,  by  whom 
he  had  one  son,  Henry. 


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IRenwicft  91 

Meta  Brevoort,  only  daughter  of  Henry  Brevoort,  married 
Robert  Sedgwick,  by  whom  she  had  two  sons,  Robert  J.  and 
Henry  Renwick. 

Of  the  children  of  Edward  Sabine,  Edward  Brevoort  [1863], 
the  oldest  son,  is  an  accomplished  mechanical  en-  Edward  b., 
gineer.     He  married  Emily  Dilworth  Hicks.  Engineer 

William  Whetten  [1864],  second  son  of  Edward  Sabine,  is 
an  architect  and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Renwick,  Aspinwall  & 
Owen,  which  was  established  by  his  uncle  James  111.,  wniiamw., 
architect  of  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral.  Elizabeth,  only  Architect 
daughter  and  youngest  child  of  Edward  Sabine,  married  Watson 
Condit  Wittingham. 

Of  the  children  of  William  Rhinelander,  Philip  Brevoort,  the 
oldest  son,  married  Ellen  J.  Wise,  by  whom  he  had  one  child, 
Eliza  Crosby.  She  married  A.  Leland  Brown,  by  whom  she  had 
issue. 

William  Crosby,  second  son  of  William  Rhinelander,  was 
twice  married:  first,  to  Harriet  McDonell,  by  whom  he  had  three 
children;  and,  second,  to  Gertrude  Sears.     Of  the  three 

William  C. 

daughters  of  William  Rhinelander,  Emily  Ashton  mar- 
ried Edmund  Abdy  Hurry  (November    17,  1868);   Mary  Crosby 
married,  first,  Henry  Turnstall  Strong,  and,  second,  Dr.  Frederick 
Tilden  Brown.     Helen  Schuyler  married  Anselm  Schaff. 

The  children  of  Frederick  William  are  Frederick  William  II. 
and  S.  Stanhope.  The  latter  married  Evelyn  Smith,  by  whom  he 
had  Harold  Stanhope  and  Claire  Rhinelander. 

The  name  of  Renwick  has  for  a  century  been  associated  with 
creative  intellectuality.  It  has  been  borne  by  philanthropists, 
merchants,  professors,  inventors,  architects,  engineers,  and  law- 
yers. It  is  identified  with  valuable  inventions,  standard  literary 
works,  magnificent  buildings,  and  the  proceedings  of  learned 
societies.  If  the  value  of  achievement  is  to  be  measured  by  the 
creation  of  wealth  through  inventive  energy  and  constructive 
skill,  the  family  will  rank  high  in  the  annals  of  the  State.  That 
man  is  said  to  be  a  public  benefactor  who  makes  two  blades  of 
grass  grow  where  but  one  grew  before.     From  this  point  of  view 


92  •Renwicft 

the  inventor  is  the  most  valuable  member  of  society.  The  flov/er 
of  his  brain  creates  wealth,  sometimes  for  himself,  but  always  for 
the  community  at  large;  and  it  may  be  that  he  who  makes 
wealth  for  others  is  higher  in  the  scale  of  public  utility  than  he 
who  accumulates  it  for  himself.  A  nation  of  inventors  towers 
over  a  nation  of  plutocrats.  The  secret  of  American  success  has 
been  its  creative  genius.  This  in  turn  has  produced  wealth  and 
power,  and  from  the  smallest  beginnings  has  raised  the  nation 
to  a  commanding  place  in  the  society  of  nations.  In  this  class  of 
forces  are  to  be  placed  the  mental  activity  and  prowess  of  the 
Renwick  race. 


Jean  Jeffrey 

From  a  picture  in  file  possession  of  Edniuiul  Abdy  Hiiny,  Esq. 


I 


IRoosevelt 


93 


Theodore  Roosevelt 

From  a  photograph  by  Rockwood 


XXIX 
ROOSEVELT 


T  is  hard  to  lay  down  any  definite  stand- 
ard as  to  what  constitutes  a  famous 
family.  Sometimes  the  laurels  are 
won  by  the  achievements  of  a  single 
individual,  which  is  illustrated  in  the 
case  of  the  Washingtons  and  Frank- 
lins. At  the  very  opposite  extreme 
are  those  families  in  which,  genera- 
tion after  generation,  men  of  eminent 
ability  appear,  and  play  a  large  part  in 
the  national  life.  This  is  exemplified 
by  the  Adams  family  of  Massachu- 
setts, the  Lee  family  of  Virginia,  and  the  Roosevelt  family  of  New 
York. 

In  1649,  Claas  Martenszen  Van  Roosevelt  came  to  this  coun- 
try. He  was  a  shrewd,  strong,  and  sterling  Hollander,  who  trans- 
ferred to  the  New  World  the  habits  of  thrift  which  had 
been  developed  by  his  race  in  the  Old.  He  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  undertakings,  especially  in  that  of  matrimony,  his 
wife  being  Jannetje  Thomas,  a  young  belle  of  the  New  Nether- 
lands, whose  personal  charms  were  rivalled  by  her  skill  in  spin- 
ning, weaving,  cooking,  and  housekeeping.  The  union  was  a 
happy  one,  and  resulted  in  many  children,  all  of  whom  seemed  to 
inherit  their  parents'  virtues— moral,  mental,  and  physical.     Small 

families,  indeed,  have  been  the  rare  exception  with  the  Roosevelts. 

95 


Claas 


96  IRooscvelt 

Owing  to  this  fact  it  has  extended  in  every  direction,  and  by 
marriage  has  become  connected  with  nearly  every  other  old 
family  both  in  New  York  City  and  in  New  York  State. 

The  most  prominent  member  of  the  second  generation  was 
Nicholas  of  Esopus,  who  married  Hillotje  Jans,  sister  of  Anneke 
Jans  of  Trinity  Church  fame.  In  this  generation  the 
family  began  to  add  intellectual  to  agricultural  talents. 
Nicholas  was  a  student,  and  by  all  odds  the  most  learned  and 
most  popular  man  in  his  district.  He  is  referred  to  by  the  old 
records  as  a  citizen  of  great  influence  and  authority,  and  one  who 
frequently  served  as  an  arbitrator  between  his  stiff-necked  and 
litigious  neighbors.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  to  perceive 
the  business  aspect  of  the  Indian  question,  and  during  his  life  was 
on  the  most  friendly  terms  with  the  red  men.  He  invited  them 
regularly  to  his  house,  and  invariably  made  them  presents  when 
they  called.  For  many  years  to  his  neighbors  this  seemed  ex- 
travagance, but  their  eyes  were  opened  when  they  learned  that 
in  Indian  etiquette  whoso  receives  a  present  from  a  friend  must 
give  back  one  of  greater  value.  The  gala-colored  ancient  weapons 
which  Nicholas  presented  to  the  warriors  came  back  to  him  in 
furs,  which  brought  ten  times  the  value  of  his  gifts  in  the  markets 
of  New  Amsterdam.  That  he  was  very  prosperous  is  shown  by 
formal  charges  that  were  brought  by  gossipers  against  his  wife 
Hillotje  and  her  sister  Anneke  for  wearing  and  showing  luxurious 
petticoats.  Nicholas  took  the  part  of  the  women,  and  after  the 
proceedings  were  dismissed  he  authorized  his  dress-loving  wife  to 
purchase  another  large  roll  of  beautiful  cloth  to  increase  still  fur- 
ther her  stock  of  brilliant  skirts. 

Of  the  third  generation,  Johannes  appears  to  have  been  the 

ablest.    Early  in  the  eighteenth  century  he  married  Hyltje  Syverts, 

a  belle  and  heiress.     He  was  successful  in  farming  and 

Johannes 

business  ventures,  and  took  what  seemed  to  his  friends 
a  strange  and  extravagant  delight  in  works  of  art.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  one  of  the  first  to  import  paintings,  fine  furniture,  and 
artistic  metal  ware  from  the  Netherlands.  He  did  it  on  so  gener- 
ous a  scale  that  his  home  was  viewed  as  a  wonderland  by  his  less 


TRoosevelt  97 

enterprising  fellow-citizens,  in  this  generation  the  family  became 
allied  with  the  Schuylers  through  the  marriage  of  Sarah  Van 
Roosevelt,  a  niece  of  Johannes,  to  Philip  Schuyler.  In  the  fourth 
generation  were  several  sons,  of  whom  Jacobus  [1724] 

Jacobus 

was  the  most  notable.  He  married  Annetje  Bogaert, 
and  had  a  large  family.  In  Jacobus,  the  Dutch  characteristics  had 
changed  so  far  that  he  may  be  regarded  as  an  American  in  the 
modern  sense  of  the  word.  He  began  to  drop  the  Van  from  his 
name,  and  in  other  ways  showed  his  Anglicization.  He  was  a 
stout  believer  in  freedom  and  home  rule,  and  was  looked  upon  as 
a  Dutch  malcontent  by  many  of  the  British  colonial  officers.  He 
was  diplomatic  and  never  permitted  himself  to  do  anything  which 
could  be  construed  into  a  violation  of  law.  He  attended  to  his 
commercial  interests  with  great  care  and  largely  increased  the  for- 
tune which  he  had  inherited. 

The  fifth  generation  seems  to  have  been  the  crucial  point  in 
the  family  history.  Up  to  that  time  the  various  generations  had 
contlned  themselves  to  agriculture,  trading,  and  the  management 
of  real  estate.  The  race  was  now  represented  in  its  own  names 
by  at  least  tlfty  families,  which,  as  a  whole,  were  more  than  pros- 
perous, capable,  and  prominent.  The  simple  farmers  of  the  first 
and  second  generations  had  become  educated  and  cultured  men 
so  far  as  the  opportunities  of  the  time  permitted.  The  Revolution 
seemed  to  stir  up  their  blood  and  to  bring  into  being  the  higher 
qualities  which  are  represented  by  patriotism,  executive  power, 
and  statesmanship,  in  this  period  the  first  to  be 
noticed  is  Jacobus  II.,  afterwards  known  as  James  I., 
his  brother  Nicholas,  who  invented  the  steamboat  at 

r-    1  ^-111  Nicholas 

about  the  same  time  as  Fulton;  Captain  John  J.,  a 

brilliant  and  wildly  reckless  soldier;  and  Isaac,  who  afterwards 

became  State  Senator.    There  were  others,  who  were 

brave  soldiers  and  faithful  representatives  of  the  people, 

but  the  four  enumerated  stand  head  and  shoulders  ig^ac 

above  the  rest.    Jacobus  or  James  1.  is  often  mistaken 

for  his  son  James  1.  (11.),  who  was  a  member  of  Congress,  a 

judge,  and  one  of  the  great  jurists  of  New  York  State.    The  elder 


98  IRoosevclt 

was  a  good  soldier,  a  capable  commissary,  and  an  admirable 


organizer. 


"Nicholas  was  America's  first  great  inventor.  He  had  extraor- 
dinary versatility  and  an  almost  tireless  energy.  He  was  a  skilful 
Nicholas  mining  engineer  and  metallurgist,  as  well  as  machinist, 
the  Inventor  aj-,(5  ^^33  the  first  to  work  coppcr  on  a  large  scale  in  the 
United  States.  As  contractor  and  ship-builder,  he  was  engaged 
by  Congress  to  superintend  the  building  of  a  new  navy  in  the 
eighteenth  century.  He  was  a  civil  engineer,  and  carried  through 
contracts  for  supplying  the  city  of  Philadelphia  with  water.  In 
this  busy  period  he  found  time  to  prosecute  studies  in  the  then 
unknown  field  of  steam  engineering,  and  reached  the  same  con- 
clusions that  Fulton  did  a  few  years  afterwards.  He  submitted 
his  researches  in  1797  to  Chancellor  Livingston  and  to  Colonel  Ste- 
vens, who  formed  a  partnership  with  him  to  build  a  boat  on  joint 
account.  This  was  done,  and  in  October,  1798,  the  new  venture 
was  tried.  The  engines  worked  perfectly,  but  the  propelling  gear, 
which  had  been  designed  by  Livingston,  proved  a  failure.  Roose- 
velt was  not,  however,  discouraged,  but  kept  on  until  he  had  de- 
vised an  efficient  vertical  paddle-wheel  in  place  of  the  cumbrous 
contrivance  of  the  Chancellor.  The  new  design  was  tried  upon  the 
Ohio  River,  where  it  worked  satisfactorily.  In  1811,  he  built  the 
first  steamer  to  ply  upon  the  Mississippi,  so  that  he  may  be  justly 
called  the  father  of  Mississippi  navigation.  "Nicholas  married  Miss 
Lydia  M.  Latrobe.  Of  his  descendants,  Samuel  Montgomery 
is  a  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  the  late  "Nicholas 
III.  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  Navy. 

Jacobus  or  James  1.  married  Mary  "Van  Schaick.     Among  their 

children,  two  were  highly  distinguished  in  the  beginning  of  the 

nineteenth  century,  Cornelius  Van  Schaick  and  James  II. 

Cornelius  ■' 

Van  Schaick  The  former,  who  married  Margaret  Barnhill  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  a  merchant,  banker,  and  capitalist.  He  was  one  of  the 
five  richest  men  in  New  York,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  wel- 
'fare  of  the  city.  He  founded  the  fiimous  Chemical  Bank,  the  only 
bank  in  the  country  which  has  always  paid  its  obligations  in  gold. 
He  had  five  sons,  all  of  whom  were  important  figures  in  the  mid- 


Isaac  Roosevelt 

From  an  India  ink  drawing  in  the  Emmett  Collection, 
Lenox  Library 


TRoosevelt  99 

die  part  of  the  last  century.  These  were  Silas  W.,  lawyer,  wit, 
and  School  Commissioner;  James  Alfred,  banker  and  capitalist; 
Cornelius  Van  Schaick  II.,  merchant;  Robert  B.,  lawyer,  author, 
editor,  Commissioner  of  the  first  Brooklyn  Bridge,  Congressman, 
and  United  States  Minister;  and  Theodore,  merchant,  War  Com- 
missioner, and  philanthropist.  The  history  of  these  five  sons 
covers  the  most  important  years  from  1850  to  the  present  time. 
Each  contributed  in  his  own  way  to  the  metropolis,  ^.^^^  ^ 
and  stamped  his  name  upon  its  history.  Silas  W.  was 
a  "New  York  School  Commissioner  in  deed  as  well  as  in  name. 
He  took  an  interest  in  educational  work  before  he  received  his 
appointment,  and  may  be  classed  as  a  member  of  the  school  of 
thought  started  by  Horace  Mann.  When  he  accepted  office  he 
brought  all  his  energy  to  bear  upon  the  problem  of  books  and 
methods,  and  infused  a  new  spirit  into  the  proceedings  of  the 
Board.  The  present  admirable  condition  of  the  public  schools 
and  the  high  standards  which  mark  all  tuition  in  the  city  are 
under  obligations  to  his  f:iithful  and  efficient  services.  James 
Alfred,  the  banker,  had  a  natural  genius  for  finance.  He  was 
admitted  to  his  father's  firm  when  only  twenty  years  of  age,  and 
while  still  in  the  prime  of  life  had  become  an  officer  or  director  in 
a  score  of  great  financial  institutions.  He  was  Park  Commissioner 
during  the  administration  of  Mayor  Strong. 

Robert  B.,  born  in  1829,  is  still  a  hale  and  hearty  member  of 
the  community.  He  received  a  fine  liberal  education,  studied 
law,  and  practised  in  New  York  for  twenty  years.     He       „  ,     „ 

Robert  B. 

was  successful  in  that  profession  and  was  one  of  the 
most  popular  members  of  the  bar  thirty  years  ago.  He  was 
versatile  and  made  his  mark  in  many  fields.  A  fluent  writer, 
he  served  as  an  editor  of  the  New  York  Citizen  and  wrote  a 
number  of  books  upon  fish,  birds,  and  other  similar  topics.  He 
took  an  active  part  in  politics,  served  in  Congress,  and  was  one 
of  the  leaders  of  the  National  Democracy.  The  life-work  by 
which  he  will  be  longest  known  was  that  devoted  to  the  game 
interests  of  the  State  and  nation.  He  took  up  the  task,  an 
almost  novel  field,  and  struggled  in  the  beginning  against  many 


loo  IRooscvelt 

odds.  By  degrees  he  created  and  organized  sentiment  on  behalf 
of  the  game  birds  and  the  fisheries  of  the  State  and  secured  much 
of  the  legislation  which  has  preserved  the  fin  and  feather  interests  of 
the  community.  He  served  acceptably  as  Commissioner  of  Fish- 
eries of  New  York,  did  much  toward  the  restocking  of  the  rivers, 
lakes,  and  streams  of  the  commonwealth,  the  establishment  and 
development  of  fish  culture,  the  interchange  of  valuable  fish  fry, 
and  the  protection  of  waters  from  the  refuse  of  cities  and  factories. 
To  the  angler  and  the  sportsman  he  will  be  always  regarded  as  the 
Izaak  Walton  of  America.  He  was  one  of  the  famous  Committee 
of  Seventy  which  started  the  movement  that  resulted  in  the 
downfall  of  Tammany  and  Tweed,  and  has  always  been  identified 
with  the  best  interests  of  the  municipality. 

Theodore,  the  fifth  of  the  brothers,  was  a  brilliant  Unionist 
during  the  war  and  one  of  the  Allotment  Commissioners.  Upon 
the  restoration  of  peace,  he  took  up  practical  philan- 
thropy and  devoted  himself  to  the  cause  of  the  poor 
and  ignorant.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Newsboys' 
Home  and  the  other  homes  which  grew  out  of  the  first  one,  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  the  Orthopaedic  Hospital,  and 
the  Children's  Aid  Society.  He  married  Miss  Martha  Bulloch  of 
Georgia.    Their  son  was  Theodore  II. 

Theodore  [1858]  was  educated  at  Harvard  (1880),  where  he 
displayed  marked  literary,  scholarly,  and  athletic  talents.  The 
following  year  he  entered  political  life  and  was  elected  to  the  As- 
sembly from  the  21st  District,  New  York  City.  He  served  until 
1884.  In  1886,  he  was  nominated  for  Mayor,  but  was  defeated  by 
Abram  S.  Hewitt.  Three  years  afterwards  he  was  appointed  Civil 
Service  Commissioner  by  President  Harrison  and  served  until 
May,  1895.  He  was  chosen  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy  in 
President  McKinley's  Cabinet  in  1897.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  with  Spain,  he  resigned  his  position  and  entered  the  United 
States  Army.  He  raised  a  regiment  of  Rough  Riders,  but  instead 
of  taking  the  command,  as  is  the  custom  in  such  cases,  he  re- 
quested the  President  to  appoint  his  personal  friend.  Dr.  Leonard 
Wood,  Colonel,  and  himself  Lieutenant-Colonel. 


The  Administration  Building 

Roosevelt  Hospital 


IRoosevelt  loi 

He  and  his  men  were  in  the  army  of  invasion  which  landed 
at  the  eastern  end  of  Cuba  and  took  part  in  the  first  engagement 
between  the  American  and  Spanish  forces.  Both  he  and  his  Rough 
Riders  made  a  fimious  record  for  gallantry  during  the  brief  cam- 
paign. The  same  year  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State  of 
New  York.  In  1900,  he  was  chosen  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States  and  took  office  on  March  4,  iqoi.  On  the  death  of  Mr. 
McKinley,  September,  iqoi,  he  became  President. 

He  is  a  man  of  indef:itigable  industry,  and  in  the  last  twenty 
years  has  contributed  largely  to  the  press  and  added  twelve  valu- 
able works  to  American  literature.  He  married  Alice  Lee  of  Bos- 
ton, and,  after  her  death,  Edith  Carow  of  New  York.  By  the  first 
he  had  one  child,  and  by  the  second,  five. 

James  Henry  of  the  sixth  generation  has  left  a  monument  in 
the  Roosevelt  Hospital.  It  was  the  realization  of  his  life  ambition. 
Born  in  1800,  he  was  graduated  from  Columbia  Col- 

James  Henry 

lege,  and  took  up  the  practice  of  law  with  the  ambition 
of  founding  the  charity  described.  To  this  he  subordinated  all 
other  interests.  He  never  married,  and  allowed  nothing  to  swerve 
him  from  his  path.  He  died  in  1863,  leaving  a  million  dollars  for 
a  foundation.  This,  through  the  wise  management  of  his  trustees, 
was  so  administered  that,  in  1888,  the  hospital  and  its  endowment 
represented  over  two  millions  of  dollars.  His  epitaph  is  written 
upon  the  tablet  which  records  the  gift :  "  To  the  memory  of  James 
Henry  Roosevelt,  a  true  son  of  New  York,  the  generous  founder 
of  this  hospital,  a  man  upright  in  his  aims,  simple  in  his  life,  sub- 
lime in  his  benefactions." 

Considerable  impression  upon  New  York  City  has  been  made 
by  the  so-called  Pelham  branch,  established  by  Elbert  [1767]  of 
the  sixth  generation.     He  had  six  sons  and  two  daugh- 

^r    ,  ,        .        ?  Elbert 

ters.  Of  the  former,  Clinton,  the  inventor  and  scientist, 
was  the  chief  of  his  generation.  Peter  T.  and  Albert  J.  were  men 
who  led  long  and  eventful  lives;  the  former  died  at  the  age 
of  ninety-six,  and  the  latter  at  eighty-eight.  Washington  [1802] 
was  a  scholarly  Presbyterian  divine,  who  was  graduated  from 
Middlebury,  Conn.,  in  1829.     He  married  Jane  Maria  Young,  by 


I02  IRoosevelt 

whom  he  had  four  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  oldest  of  the 
sons  was  Charles  Henry  [1832],  who  married  Annie  J.  Jackson, 
by  whom  he  had  two  sons,  Henry  Everitt  and  Albert  Curtenius. 
Charles  Henry  has  long  been  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  West- 
chester County. 

Here  and  there,  in  the  family  history,  have  been  indications 
of  mechanical  and  inventive  talent.  In  addition  to  Nicholas,  who 
was  the  greatest  in  this  respect  in  his  generation,  and  Clinton, 
who  was  President  of  the  Society  of  Inventors,  was  Hilborne 
Lewis,  who  was  born  in  1849,  and  died  when  but  thirty-seven 
years  of  age.  He  displayed  mechanical  genius  in  his  boyhood, 
and  entered  an  organ-factory  in  early  youth.  He  mastered  all 
that  could  be  learned  in  this  country,  and  then  went  to  Europe  to 
gain  an  insight  into  the  artistic,  scientific,  and  historic  features  of 
the  craft.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  take  up  electric  apparatus 
for  organ-manufiicture.  in  a  few  years  he  developed  it  to  an  ex- 
tent never  before  known.  On  his  return  to  America  he  estab- 
lished organ-factories  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore, 
and  within  five  years  had  become  one  of  the  authorities  on  the 
subject.  Many  of  his  constructions  enjoy  a  world-wide  fame 
among  musicians.  His  chief  ones  are  those  in  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Cathedral  at  Garden  City,  L.  I.,  and  in  Grace  Church,  New 
York,  each  of  which  contains  twenty  miles  of  electric  wires.  He 
built  the  famous  organ  for  the  Philadelphia  Centennial  Exposition. 
He  received  letters  patent  for  improvements  in  organ-building, 
electrical  apparatus,  and  telephony.  His  chief  electrical  invention 
was  a  telephone  switch,  which  was  adopted  by  telephone  com- 
panies the  world  over. 


IRutgers 


1 03 


.I'A?.  S^  Wir»"\ 


Colonel  Henry  Rutgers 
From  a  steel  engraving 


XXX 


RUTGERS 

^/O  the  student  of  New  York  history, 
-i^>*^  each  family  name  is  identified  with  a 
set  of  virtues  or  a  group  of  achieve- 
ments. That  of  Rutgers  suggests  a 
warm-hearted  public  spirit  and  a  deep 
love  for  humanity.  It  is  one  of  the 
first  of  Knickerbocker  names.  On  Oc- 
tober I,  1636,  Rutgers  Jacobsen  Van 
Schoenderwoerdt  set  sail  at  Texel, 
Holland,  on  board  the  good  craft 
Rensselaerswyck,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Jan  Tiebkins,  for  the  New  Nether- 
lands. The  quaint  name  is  eloquent.  Schoenderwoerdt  is  a 
pretty  village  not  for  from  Leerdam,  and  Jacobsen,  or  Jacobse, 
means  that  Rutgers  was  the  son  of  Jacob.  The  family 
belonged  to  the  great  middle  class  of  Holland,  which 
had  fought  both  man  and  the  sea  for  generations  and 
had  developed  a  stalwart  manhood,  which  is  even  to-day  the 
admiration  of  the  civilized  world.  The  virtues,  private  and  public, 
are  developed  not  in  ease  and  idleness,  but  under  the  pressure  of 
danger  and  of  death.     Great  men  never  come  from  Sybaris. 

The  voyage  was  uneventful,  and  early  in  the  following  year 
Rutgers  landed  at  Fort  Orange,  where  he  immediately  set  to 
work  to  change  the  wilderness  into  a  fertile  domain.     He  labored 

long  and  late,  and  enjoyed  a  proportionate  reward.     His  fields 

105 


Rutgers 

Jacobsen, 

Founder 


io6  1RutGer0 

brought  rich  harvests  and  his  trading  ventures  proved  profitable. 
Not  until  he  was  a  wealthy  man  did  he  look  about  him  for  a  help- 
meet. This  occurred  in  1646,  when  he  married  Tryntje  Jansse 
Van  Breesteede.  In  1649,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Goosen 
Gerritse  Van  Schaick  and  founded  a  brewing  business.  Accord- 
ing to  the  old  records,  he  turned  out  an  admirable  quality  of  beer, 
so  excellent  that  it  was  used  by  the  churches  of  the  time  at  the 
feasts  or  repasts  which  were  given  in  connection  with  funerals 
and  weddings. 

Even  in  this  prosaic  business  he  displayed  a  kindly  heart. 
Whenever  a  poor  family  was  unable  to  purchase  the  beer  without 
which  the  funeral  ceremonies  were  incomplete,  he  would  send  a 
cask  of  his  best  brew  to  the  house  of  mourning.  By  1660,  he  had 
become  very  rich.  About  this  time  he  was  appointed  a  magis- 
trate and  conducted  the  office  up  to  his  death  with  dignity  and 
ability.  His  last  public  office  was  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
of  the  new  church  in  Albany  in  1656. 

Two  of  his  children  were  prominent  in  Knickerbocker  life. 
His  daughter  Margaret  married  Jan  Jansen  Bleecker  (1667),  and 
became  the  maternal  ancestor  of  the  Bleecker  family.  Her  hus- 
Harraan  ^aud  Jau  was  Mayor  of  Albany  in  1700.  Harman,  the 
the  Trader  ouly  SOU,  took  after  his  father.  He  was  an  active  man 
of  affairs,  and  conducted  successfully  the  brewery,  the  real-estate 
business,  an  Indian  trade  in  furs  and  skins,  and  the  farms  which 
he  inherited.  When  clouds  appeared  upon  the  political  horizon, 
and  an  Indian  uprising  was  threatened,  he  promptly  volunteered 
and  became  a  private  in  the  Burgher  Corps,  bringing  with  him,  it 
is  said,  a  number  of  the  muscular  workmen  in  his  brewery.  He 
continued  his  father's  practice  of  supplying  beer  to  the  church 
funerals,  and,  like  his  father,  he  contributed  a  friendly  cask  to 
poor  neighbors  who  were  in  mourning.  So  far  as  can  be  inferred 
from  the  records  of  the  time,  the  custom  known  as  "  church  beer " 
seems  to  have  been  analogous  to  the  modern  wake,  and  both  are 
undoubtedly  survivals  of  a  custom  very  prevalent  among  the 
early  Christians,  in  1693,  the  Indians  became  so  threatening  near 
Albany,  that  Harman  removed  with  his  family  to  New  York.     He 


IRutfiers  107 

married  Catarina  de  Hooges,  daughter  of  Anthony  de  Hooges, 
Provincial  Secretary  of  Rensselaerswyck,  by  whom  he  had 
issue. 

hi  the  third  generation,  Elsie,  daughter  of  Harman,  married 
David  Davidse  Schuyler,  at  one  time  Mayor  of  Albany.  Anthony, 
the  oldest  son,  was  a  wealthy  brewer,  who  took  an  Anthony  the 
active  part  in  public  affairs.  In  1710,  171 1,  1712,  he  was  Assemblyman 
an  Assistant  Alderman,  and  from  1727  to  1734  an  Alderman.  From 
1726  to  1737  he  was  a  member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly.  The 
last  was  a  representative  body,  and  included  such  men  of  promi- 
nence as  Henry  Beekman,  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  Robert 
Livingston,  Jr.,  Stephen  de  Lancey,  Frederick  Philipse,  Peter 
Van  Brugh,  Benjamin  Hicks,  Nicholas  Schuyler,  and  Lewis  Mor- 
ris. Anthony's  intellectual  grasp  was  well  shown  by  an  under- 
taking which  in  the  light  of  to-day  was  an  enterprise  of  the 
highest  merit. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  now  Chambers  Street  and 
West  Broadway  there  was  a  swamp,  which  occasioned  much 
fever  and  ague.  The  title  lay  in  the  Crown,  but  under  the  law  of 
the  time  it  could  not  be  sold  in  fee  simple,  but  only  leased  for  life 
or  a  period  of  years.  Besides  injuring  public  health,  it  was  a 
blemish  to  the  neighborhood,  and  interfered  with  the  growth  of 
the  young  city.  Anthony  petitioned  the  local  authorities  to  obtain 
authority  from  the  Crown  to  grant  him  the  swamp  in  fee  simple, 
so  that  he  might  drain  and  reclaim  it,  and  so  end  the  sickness 
which  always  prevailed  in  this  neighborhood.  In  return,  he 
promised  to  make  it  into  habitable  land  at  his  own  expense, 
no  matter  what  that  might  be.  it  took  no  less  than  three  years  to 
secure  the  authority,  and  to  sign  the  proper  deeds.  When  this 
was  done,  the  good  burgher  put  his  men  to  work,  and  within  a 
year  had  changed  a  noisome,  festering  morass  into  one  of  the  best 
meadows  on  Manhattan.  Anthony  was  twice  married:  first,  to 
Hendrickje  Vandewater,  by  whom  he  had  issue,  and,  second,  to 
Mistress  Cornelia  Benson. 

Harman  II.  went  into  business  with  his  father  upon  coming 
of  age,  and  thereafter  purchased  a  farm  lying  east  of  what  is  now 


io8  IRutflere 

Chatham  Square.     Of  this  farm,  Rutgers  Street  is  the  relic,  and 
undoubtedly  represents  the  early  road  or  path  which  led 

Harman  II. 

the  Land-  dowu  to  Rutgers  Wharf.  Harman  married  Catharina 
°^°"  Meyer,  and  had  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 

In  the  fourth  generation,  Anthony  II.,  son  of  Anthony  I.,  died 
a  young  man,  leaving  one  son,  Anthony  III.,  and  five  daughters. 
This  son  is  of  importance,  because  he  transmitted  to  his  daughter 
Elsie  or  Alice  one  third  of  his  great  estate.  She  married  Leonard 
Lispenard,  who  thereafter  purchased  from  his  wife's  two  sisters 
the  other  two  thirds,  thus  bringing  together  again  the  old  Anthony 
Rutgers  estate,  which  then  became  known  as  the  Lispenard 
estate. 

Peter  [1701],  son  of  Anthony,  was  a  wealthy  brewer  and  mer- 
chant, and  was  Assistant  Alderman  from  1730  to  1736.  He  was 
Captain  Captain  of  the  Independent  Company  of  Cadets,  and 
Peter  married  Helena  Hoogland,  by  whom  he  had  issue.     Of 

the  children  of  Harman  II.,  Harman  III.,  a  son,  died  before  his 
father.  The  three  daughters  made  brilliant  marriages.  Elsie 
espoused  John  Marshall,  Catharine  married  Abraham  Van  Home, 
and  Eva,  John  Provoost.  Harman  III.  left  three  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

Hendrick  [f7i2],  his  brother,  was  a  thrifty  merchant  and 
real-estate  owner,  who  married  Catharine  de  Peyster,  by  whom 
he  had  four  sons  and  a  daughter.  None  of  the  former  left 
issue. 

In  the  fifth  generation  the  family  reached  its  meridian.  An- 
thony III.,  son  of  Anthony  II.,  was  the  head  of  the  family  and 
Anthony  III.,  fiHcd  a  large  place  in  social  circles.  He  married  Ger- 
captain  trudc  Gouvemeur,  a  famous  belle.  In  1775,  he  was 
a  captain  of  artillery.  When  he  was  ordered  out  by  the  British 
Government,  he  resigned,  and  moved  to  "Newark,  N.  J.,  which  he 
made  his  permanent  home.  He  had  three  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, and  was  the  founder  of  the  Rutgers  family  of  New  Jersey. 

Anthony  the  lawyer,  son  of  Peter,  was  a  prominent  member 
Anthony  the  of  the  New  York  bar  in  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
Lawyer         ceutury.     He  married  Elizabeth  Williams, 


I 


CO 


o 


o  ■§ 


— .     o 

O 

i- 


IRutgers  109 

Of  the  three  sons  of  Harman  III.,  the  oldest,  Robert,  was  a 
man  of  great  wealth,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Dr. 
William  Beekman.  Harman  IV.  was  a  wealthy  mer-  Anthony  the 
chant,  who  never  married.  Captain  Anthony,  the  sea  captain 
youngest  brother,  took  to  the  sea  in  his  youth,  and  rose  to  be  a 
captain.  In  1754,  he  received  his  first  command,  and  in  1758  was 
the  captain  of  a  privateer,  in  1760,  he  received  letters  of  marque 
from  the  Crown  and  sailed  the  good  hug  King  George,  with  which 
he  captured  many  ships  and  realized  an  independent  fortune. 
Five  years  afterwards  or  thereabouts  he  retired  and  settled  upon 
the  land.    The  same  year  he  was  made  an  Assistant  Alderman. 

Shortly  afterwards  he  opened  a  rope-walk  with  Jacob  Le  Roy, 
and  was  the  father  of  that  business  in  the  colonies.  His  two  sis- 
ters, Catharine  and  Cornelia,  successively  married  his  partner, 
Jacob  Le  Roy,  from  whom  comes  the  Le  Roy  family  of  New 
York. 

Of  the  children  of  Hendrick,  three  command  notice.  His 
daughter  Catharine  married  William  Bedloe,  grandson  of  Isaac, 
of  Bedloe's  Island. 

Lieutenant  Harman  was  a  heroic  soldier,  who  enlisted  in  the 
Colonial  army  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  and  was 
one  of  the  first  to  give  up  his  life  for  the  cause  of  Lieutenant 
liberty.  He  was  killed  by  a  cannon-ball  at  the  bom-  Harman 
bardment  of  Red  Hook,  on  August  28,  1776,  by  the  British  ships 
in  the  Long  Island  campaign. 

In  Colonel  Henry  [1745],  the  son  of  Hendrick,  the  race 
produced  its  finest  representative.  He  was  marked  by  unusual 
attractiveness — physical,  mental,  and  moral.  In  his  coionei 
youth  he  was  studious  and  was  graduated  in  1776  Henry  the 
with  very  high  honor  from  King's  College,  now  Co- 
lumbia University.  On  leaving  college,  he  took  up  a  mercantile 
life  and  assisted  in  the  management  of  his  father's  estate.  The 
times  were  exciting,  the  troubles  between  the  colonies  and  the 
mother  country  coming  to  a  crisis.  In  the  general  controversy 
which  prevailed  he  took  strong  sides  with  the  Colonials.  His 
fine  appearance,  culture,  and  ability  soon  made  him  prominent. 


no  IRutgera 

and  before  the  Revolution  broke  out  he  was  looked  upon  as  a 
Revolutionary  leader.  He  was  lieutenant  in  1775  and  a  captain 
in  1776,  serving  in  Malcolm's  Regiment  and  taking  part  at  the 
battle  of  White  i^lains,  where  he  was  wounded.  He  fought 
through  the  war  and  was  cheered  (?)  from  time  to  time  by 
escaped  or  returned  soldiers,  who  informed  him  that  his  family 
homestead  had  been  converted  into  a  British  barracks  and  after- 
wards a  military  hospital. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  New  York  City,  where 
the  following  year  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Assembly. 
This  honor  was  frequently  repeated,  his  last  term  being  1807- 
1808.  In  1802,  he  was  made  a  regent  of  the  New  York  State  Uni- 
versity, and  held  it  for  twenty-four  years.  From  1804  to  18 17,  he 
was  a  trustee  of  Princeton. 

His  most  important  work  in  political  life  was  in  1800,  when 
he  was  one  of  the  Republican  leaders  in  the  movement  to  defeat 
the  Federalist  party.  The  campaign  was  all-important  as  regarded 
the  future  policy  of  the  United  States,  and  in  it  the  two  New 
York  champions  of  popular  rights  were  Colonel  Henry  and  Gen- 
eral George  Clinton.  Their  efforts  were  successful,  and  their 
party  carried  the  day  and  elected  Thomas  Jefferson  President  of 
the  Republic. 

In  1812,  Colonel  Henry  was  chairman  of  the  mass-meeting 
held  in  New  York,  which  was  called  to  take  defensive  measures 
against  a  threatened  attack  on  land  and  sea  by  the  British,  sub- 
scribing liberally  to  the  campaign  fund  and  overseeing  the  con- 
struction of  the  fortifications  that  were  built  to  defend  both  New 
York  and  Brooklyn  against  a  naval  expedition  from  the  harbor 
and  a  land  attack  from  Long  Island.  In  1829,  he  was  made  Presi- 
dent of  the  New  York  Public  School  Society,  succeeding  Gov- 
ernor De  Witt  Clinton  in  that  office.  He  gave  the  money  which 
assisted  in  founding  Rutgers  Female  College,  New  York,  and 
which  took  Queens  College,  New  Jersey,  out  of  bankruptcy.  It 
was  in  honor  of  his  munificence  that  the  name  of  that  institution 
was  changed  in  1825  to  Rutgers  College,  by  which  it  has  been 
known  ever  since. 


TRutGcrs  1 1 1 

His  benefactions  to  churches  were  large  and  numerous.  He 
showed  no  sectarianism  and  treated  all  with  equal  kindness. 
Among  the  beneficiaries  were  the  Dutch  Reformed,  the  Scotch, 
the  Baptist,  and  the  Presbyterian.  He  made  many  gifts  to  schools, 
charitable  societies,  and  to  the  deserving  poor.  The  rule  of  his 
life  was  to  spend  one  quarter  of  his  income  in  charity.  This, 
however,  did  not  include  what  he  called  his  "special  gifts." 
These  were  numberless  and  extraordinary.  Thus,  for  example, 
for  many  years  he  had  all  the  boys  of  the  ward  in  which  he  lived 
call  upon  him  early  New  Year's  morning.  When  the  crowd  was 
small,  they  were  invited  into  the  house;  when  large,  they  would 
stand  in  the  yard  and  on  the  sidewalk.  Punctually  at  the  hour, 
the  Colonel  appeared  in  full  dress,  delivered  a  little  speech  appro- 
priate to  the  occasion,  and  then  presented  each  urchin  with  a 
large  cake  and  an  entertaining  volume.  The  cakes  were  always 
made  to  order,  and  were  "nutritious  and  wholesome,  but  not 
too  rich  nor  cloying,"  and  the  books  were  "edifying  as  well  as 
amusing."  Even  the  Colonel's  speeches  were  not  impromptu 
affairs,  but  were  the  results  of  weeks  of  careful  thought  and 
preparation.  A  few  have  been,  it  is  believed,  preserved,  and  are 
models  of  kindliness  of  heart,  manliness,  and  patriotism. 

On  any  occasion  when  the  city's  finances  were  at  an  ebb  and 
the  schools  were  about  to  suffer,  the  Colonel  paid  repair  bills, 
teachers'  wages,  and  on  several  occasions  built  schoolhouses,  out 
of  his  own  pocket.  During  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  he 
was  known  as  the  "well-beloved  citizen." 

His  home,  a  large  and  superbly  furnished  mansion,  stood  at 
Rutgers'  Place— what  is  now  the  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Cherry 
streets — and  for  many  years  was  a  capital  of  the  world  of  fashion. 
Here  Lafayette  was  entertained,  ''en  prince"  to  use  the  great 
Frenchman's  own  words,  and  here  was  given  the  most  notable 
reception  of  the  time  to  General  Washington  and  Colonel  Willet, 
after  the  latter's  return  from  his  mission  to  the  Creek  sachems  and 
sagamores,  in  the  Rutgers  drawing-rooms  met  all  the  Republi- 
can leaders  of  the  period,  and,  despite  the  bitter  asperities  of 
politics,  most  of  the  great  Federalists. 


I  12 


IRutgers 


The  names  of  the  streets  bear  testimony  to  the  man.  Henry 
and  Rutgers  are  his  name  ;  while  Clinton  and  Jefferson  represent 
General  George  Clinton,  with  whom  he  led  the  campaign  which 
gave  New  York's  electoral  vote  to  their  friend,  Thomas  Jefferson, 
and  made  him  President  of  the  nation. 

Colonel  Henry  never  married.  His  estate  was  divided  by  his 
will  among  his  many  relatives,  the  largest  individual  share  going 
William  B.  to  his  grcat-uephew,  William  B.  Crosby,  grandson  of 
Crosby  iijs  sister,  Catharine  Bedloe,  who,  left  an  orphan  in  his 

childhood,  had  been  adopted  by  his  generous  kinsman. 

in  the  sixth  generation,  the  main  line  was  represented  by 
Gerard,  who  married  Margaret  Bayard;  Robert  11.,  and  Elsie. 

Elsie  Rutgers  married  John  Marshall  and  from  this  marriage 
came  the  Rutgers-Marshall  family  of  the  metropolis. 

Of  their  issue  the  Rev.   John   Rutgers  was  the  foremost. 

Graduated  from  King's  College  in  1770,  he  took  orders,  and  was 

„  ,  ^  ordained  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England  at  Lam- 
Rev.  John  ^ 

Rutgers-  beth  Palace,  London.  He  began  his  clerical  career  as 
Marshall  ^  missionary  at  Woodbury,  Connecticut,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  in  1789. 

He  took  an  active  part  in  bringing  about  the  first  convention 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States,  which 
was  held  at  Woodbury  in  1783.  The  old  "glebe  house,"  one 
of  the  earliest  landmarks  of  that  denomination  in  this  country, 
is  now  used  by  the  diocese  as  a  home  for  aged  and  infirm 
clergymen. 

The  head  of  the  present  generation  is  Henry  Rutgers- 
Marshall,  the  psychologist  and  architect. 

No  family  has  ever  given  more  of  itself  and  its  belongings 
to  the  Commonwealth.'  From  Rutgers  Jacobse  to  the  ninth 
generation,  the  members  have  been  marked  by  commercial  and 
intellectual  ability  and  have  reaped  the  reward  which  comes  from 
these  traits,  when  put  to  practical  use.  Instead  of  applying  this 
wealth  solely  to  the  upbuilding  of  a  great  family,  they  have 
devoted  it  to  relatives  and  friends,  neighbors,  and  strangers. 
Colonel  Henry,  the  greatest  son,  must  have  given  away  two 


The  Old  "  Glebe  House."  Woodbury,  Conn. 

(At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  it  was  the  home  of  Rev.  John  Rutgers  Maisluill) 


The  Kutgers  House,  Rutgers  Place 

Between  Jefferson  and  Clinton  Streets.      From  a  print  in  yjlciiliiic's  Mjinial,  1858 


IRutGers  113 

thirds  of  his  vast  fortune  during  his  life ;  and  at  the  close,  dis- 
tributed the  remaining  third  with  the  same  kindly  thoughtfulness. 
The  other  members  have  been  marked  by  this  altruistic  character. 
They  have  left  their  imprint  upon  the  city  in  the  names  of  a 
dozen  streets,  and  upon  the  country  in  Rutgers  College,  New 
Jersey;  but  more  lasting  than  these  are  the  noble  actions  which 
for  two  hundred  years  have  made  them  notable  among  their 
fellow-men. 


VOL,  11.— S 


Scbermerborn 


115 


XXXI 


SCHERMERHORN 


CHARACTERISTIC  Knickerbocker 
family  is  tiiat  of  Schermerhorn.  It  em- 
bodies the  so-called  Dutch  virtues  — 
thrift,  courtesy,  probity,  patience,  and 
zealous  patriotism.  It  was  among  the 
very  first  settlers,  and  antedates  most 
of  its  Knickerbocker  compeers.  It  has 
cared  little  for  military  glory  or  politi- 
cal power,  but  has  devoted  its  energies 
.  to  religious,  philanthropic,  and  edu- 
cational institutions.  Its  history  is  to 
be  found  in  church  archives,  college 
records,  and  the  annual  reports  of  benevolent  organizations. 
Such  qualities  exert  a  profound  influence  upon  a  community  and 
give  a  prestige  to  a  family  name  like  that  which  clings  to  such 
characters  as  Wesley,  Fox,  and  Asbury. 

The  founder  of  the  Schermerhorn  family  in  the  New  "Nether- 
lands was  Jacob  Jansen,  who  was  born  in  Holland  in  1622.  He 
crossed  the  ocean  with  some  relatives  in  1636,  and  jacob  jansen 
shortly  afterwards  settled  in  Beverwyck,  now  Albany.  ^^^  Pouadtr 
Here  he  married  and  had  many  children.  His  farm  was  not  far 
from  the  river,  and  was  so  fertile  as  to  make  him  independent.  In 
spite  of  his  prosperity  and  of  the  large  and  happy  family  which 
he  saw  growing  up  around  him,  he  was  not  altogether  contented 
with  his  residence.     Many  features  of  the  feudal  system  which 


"7 


ii8  Scbcrmcrborn 

were  applied  by  the  West  India  Company  and  the  Patroons  con- 
travened his  ideas  of  liberty  and  government,  so  that  when  Arendt 
Van  Curler  proposed  to  his  friends  to  migrate  westward  and  there 
form  a  new  settlement,  based  upon  freedom  and  equal  rights, 
Jacob  was  one  of  the  first  farmers  who  volunteered  to  take  part 
in  the  expedition. 

They  made  the  journey  in  1662,  and  established  the  village 
which  is  now  the  city  of  Schenectady.  Here  Jacob  cleared  the 
virgin  soil  and  made  a  farm  whose  fertility  v/as  greater  than  that 
of  the  one  he  had  relinquished.  He  resided  on  this  estate  until 
his  death  in  1688,  seeing  the  country  develop,  the  population  in- 
crease, his  wealth  accumulate,  and  his  family  of  nine  children 
grow  up,  marry,  and  become  esteemed  citizens  of  the  community. 
His  wife  was  Jannetje  Segers,  daughter  of  Cornelius  Segers  Van 
Voohoudt.  His  sons  were  Beyer  [1652],  Symon  [1658],  Jacob, 
and  Lucas,  and  his  daughters,  Helena,  Nachtilt,  Cornelia,  Jannetje, 
and  Neeltje. 

Among  these  the  chief  in  the  second  generation  was  Symon. 
He  began  life  as  a  farmer  and  Indian  trader,  and  was  one  of  the 
Symon  the  survivors  of  the  massacre  at  Schenectady  in  1690  by 
Fearless  ^j^^  French  and  Indians.  In  this  tragic  affair  he  dis- 
played rare  gallantry,  saving  several  people  at  the  risk  of  his  life. 
Even  as  it  was,  his  horse  was  wounded  under  him  and  he  himself 
shot  through  the  thigh.  The  following  year  he  removed  to  "New 
York  and  became  interested  in  the  navigation  of  the  Hudson.  He 
seems  to  have  been  commander  and  part  owner  and,  finally,  owner 
of  a  large  trading-sloop,  which,  owing  to  his  great  strength  and 
business  sense,  soon  became  very  profitable.  This  change  in  his 
calling  affected  not  only  his  own  career,  but  also  the  careers  of 
his  descendants.  For  the  next  five  generations,  nearly  all  of  these 
showed  a  love  for  the  sea  and  for  commercial  and  maritime  enter- 
prises. He  married  Willempie  Viele,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
dren. The  marriages  of  his  brothers  and  sisters  disclosed  the 
names  of  several  families  that  were  to  become  eminent  in  after 
years.  Among  them  were  Bogart,  Van  Buren,  Beekman,  Ten 
Eyck,  and  Dame. 


Scbcrmcrborn  119 

ArnoLit  [1686],  the  second  son  of  Symon,  was  the  master 
mind  of  his  generation,  hi  his  early  boyhood  he  escaped  the 
massacre  at  Schenectady,   where  his  elder  brother, 

Arnout 

John,  was  killed.  After  receiving  such  education  as  theship- 
the  period  afforded,  he  took  eagerly  to  his  father's  °''°" 

calling  and  soon  became  a  skilful  navigator  and  shipping-master. 
He  led  a  very  long  and  busy  life.  He  invested  his  earnings  with 
sound  judgment  in  "New  York  real  estate,  many  of  his  trans- 
actions being  on  record  in  the  New  York  Register's  office.  One 
of  these  was  the  purchase  of  three  parcels  of  land,  which  cover 
nearly  all  the  present  site  of  Fulton  Market.  The  bay  at  that 
time  ran  up  nearly  to  Pearl  Street,  then  known  as  Queen  Street. 
Here  Arnout  built  a  handsome  wharf,  after  the  old  Holland  pattern, 
which  lasted  into  the  nineteenth  century.  This  is  the  Schermer- 
horn  wharf,  so  often  referred  to  in  the  old  books  and  records.  It 
proved  a  wise  investment,  as  it  was  soon  called  into  constant  use 
by  the  increasing  commerce  of  the  port,  so  that  the  wharf  dues 
and  demurrages  amounted  to  a  handsome  sum  every  year.  He 
displayed  rare  enterprise  and  energy.  Before  January,  1733,  he 
had  established  a  line  of  sailing  vessels  between  New  York  and 
Charleston,  S.  C,  and,  in  connection  with  this,  a  warehouse  and 
ship-chandlery  in  the  latter  city.  At  the  height  of  his  career  he 
was  conducting  this  line,  managing  large  mercantile  establish- 
ments at  each  end,  and  also  caring  for  many  interests  in  real 
estate  and  water  rights.  He  married  Marytje  Beekman,  by  whom 
he  had  six  children,  Catharina  [171 1],  Willementje  [171 3],  Johannes 
[1715],  Aeltje  [1717],  Jannetje  [1719],  and  Symon  [1721]. 

Of  the  two  sons,  Johannes  proved  another  edition  of  his 
brilliant  father.  He  was  both  a  "merchant  and  mariner,"  and 
enlarged  the  lucrative  business  which  his  father  had       ,  . 

°  Johannes, 

established.  During  the  long  war  between  England  "Merchant 
and  France  he  secured  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal  *° 
from  the  British  Government,  and  under  this  authority  fitted  out 
a  number  of  privateers,  which  played  havoc  with  French  com- 
merce and  put  corresponding  profits  in  the  pockets  of  the  shrewd 
builder.     He  married  Sarah  Cannon,  daughter  of  John  Cannon, 


I20  Scbermcrborn 

who  was  a  descendant  of  a  Huguenot  refugee  from  Rochelle, 
France.  The  union  was  very  happy  and  was  blessed  with 
twelve  children  — Arnout  [1742],  Mary  [1743],  John  [1746], 
Symon  [1748],  Peter  [1749],  Sarah  [175 1],  Catharine  [1753], 
Abraham  [1755],  Cornelius  [1756],  Catharine  [1759],  Esther 
[1761],  and  Hester  [1762]. 

Of  the  six  sons  of  this  generation,  Peter,  commonly  known 
as  Peter  the  Elder,  was  the  greatest.  He  started  life  with  a 
Peter  moderate  fortune,  on  account  of  the  great  wealth  of 

the  Elder  Y[\^  father,  and  increased  it  largely  and  rapidly.  At  the 
beginning  of  his  business-life,  he  took  up  his  father's  calling  and 
conducted  it  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  in  1776.  Here 
his  forethought  was  displayed  to  rare  advantage.  After  the  frigate 
y^sia  fired  upon  the  town  and  before  the  people  had  taken  alarm, 
he  disposed  of  all  the  property  he  could  and  then  with  his  family 
and  belongings  removed  up  the  Hudson  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Hyde  Park.  In  this  district  were  many  coves,  where  his  vessels 
would  be  safe  from  the  men-of-war  upon  the  river.  What  increased 
their  security  was  the  strong  colonial  spirit  of  the  people  on  the 
land.  Nearly  all  of  his  kindred  withdrew  from  New  York  at  the 
same  time,  so  that  the  family  lost  almost  nothing  in  the  weary 
seven  years  of  the  Revolution.  Both  Peter  and  his  relatives  were 
strong  Revolutionists  and  helped  the  colonial  cause  wherever  it 
was  possible.  The  sterling  seamanship  of  the  family  enabled 
them  to  be  of  great  usefulness  to  the  Continental  armies.  They 
supplied  transportation  to  the  soldiers,  forwarded  arms  and  pro- 
visions, carried  despatches,  and  even  made  reconnaissances,  when 
information  was  needed  by  the  American  generals. 

When  peace  was  restored,  Peter  returned  to  New  York  and 
re-established  himself  as  a  ship-chandler.  The  business  was  devel- 
oped with  such  skill  that  it  soon  became  one  of  the  first  commer- 
cial concerns  in  the  metropolis,  and  its  owner  one  of  the  richest 
merchants.  In  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  firm 
was  changed  to  "P.  Schermerhorn  &  Son,"  and  afterwards  to 
"  P.  Schermerhorn  &  Sons."  It  sustained  its  reputation  under  the 
new  management  and  earned  fine  fortunes  for  the  two  junior 


Scbermerborn  121 

members.  In  1796,  Peter  was  elected  a  director  of  the  Bank  of 
New  York,  and  in  1800  was  prominent  in  all  financial  matters. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  to  invest  in  Brooklyn  real  estate,  and  as 
early  as  1795  purchased  a  great  tract  in  Gowanus,  which  included 
what  is  now  a  goodly  part  of  Greenwood  Cemetery.  From  his 
interest  in  Brooklyn  matters,  the  authorities  of  that  town  named 
one  of  its  chief  thoroughfares  after  him,  a  name  which  it  still 
retains.  He  took  an  active  part  in  church  and  charitable  work, 
and  was  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  New  York 
in  his  time.  He  married  Elizabeth  Bussing,  daughter  of  Abraham 
Bussing,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  John  [1775],  Peter  [1781], 
Abraham   [1783],   George  [1785],   Elizabeth   [1787],   and  James 

[1792]. 

In  the  sixth  generation,  the  most  conspicuous  member  was 
Peter  the  Younger,  son  of  Peter  the  Elder.  When  he  came  of 
age  he  was  admitted  to  his  father's  firm  as  a  junior  peter 

partner,  and,  in  1810,  he  and  his  brother,  ambitious  to  the  Younger 
surpass  their  father,  started  a  separate  firm  called  "  Schermerhorn 
&  Co.,"  which  they  managed  with  success,  while  still  retaining 
their  connection  with  the  other  house.  This  duality  was  con- 
tinued even  after  the  father's  death,  the  old  houses  being  reorgan- 
ized under  the  names  of  "Schermerhorn,  Banker  &  Co."  and 
"  Schermerhorn,  Willis  &  Co."  He  invested  wisely  in  real  estate, 
purchasing  among  other  tracts  a  large  piece  of  land  between  Third 
Avenue  and  the  East  River,  from  Sixty-fourth  to  Seventy-fifth 
Street. 

In  1814,  he  was  made  a  director  of  the  Bank  of  New  York, 
which  office  he  held  until  his  death  in  1852.  He  was  a  pillar  of 
Grace  Church,  which  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century 
was  a  small  affair,  but  which,  owing  to  the  hard  work  and  munifi- 
cence of  the  Schermerhorns,  reached  its  present  prominence  in 
the  ecclesiastical  world.  Peter  the  Younger  became  a  vestryman 
in  1820  and  a  warden  in  1845.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the 
Building  Committee  which  superintended  the  new  church  and 
rectory  on  Broadway,  near  Tenth  Street.  The  two  buildings  with 
their  exquisite  fa9ades  are  a  fitting  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the 


122  Scbcrmcrborn 

great  merchant  prince.  He  married  Sarah  Jones,  daughter  of 
John  Jones,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Peter  Henry  [1805], 
John  Jones  [1806],  Peter  Augustus  [181 1],  Edmond  Henry  [1815], 
James  Jones  [1818],  and  William  Colford  [1821]. 

in  the  seventh  generation,  William  Colford  has  probably  been 
the  most  eminent  member  of  the  family.  He  was  graduated  from 
William  Columbia  in  1840,  and  admitted  shortly  afterwards  to 
Colford  the  bar.  He  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  from  his 
Alma  Mater  in  i860,  and  the  same  year  was  elected  one  of  the 
trustees.  In  1893,  he  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. His  life  has  been  eventful  for  its  many  acts  of  philanthropy 
and  munificence,  the  most  notable  being  the  presentation  to 
Columbia  University  of  Schermerhorn  Hall,  one  of  the  noblest 
buildings  devoted  to  natural  science.  He  married  Ann  Elliott 
Huger  Laight. 

His  brother,  Peter  Augustus,  gave  promise  of  the  highest 
scholarship.  He  was  an  honor-man  at  Columbia,  where  he  was 
Peter  Augustus  graduated  in  1829,  and  where  he  took  the  degree  of 
theschoiar  ^ j^l.  in  1833.  His  eruditiou,  literary  talent,  and  vig- 
orous mentality  were  unusual.  He  had  just  begun  his  career  as  a 
scholar  when  he  was  overtaken  by  death  at  the  age  of  thirty-four. 
He  married  Adeline  E.  Coster,  by  whom  he  had  three  children: 
Ellen,  Henry  Augustus,  and  Frederick  Augustus.  The  first  has 
played  an  active  part  in  city  philanthropy.  She  married  the  late 
Colonel  R.  T.  Auchmuty,  who  founded  the  New  York  Trade 
School  in  1881. 

Frederick  Augustus  [1844]  is  the  head  of  the  eighth  genera- 
tion. He  was  educated  at  Columbia.  During  his  college  term  he 
Frederick  euHsted  In  the  Union  army,  and  served  in  the  Civil  War 
Augustus  as  second  lieutenant  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Eighty- 
fifth  New  York  Infantry.  He  rose  to  be  first  lieutenant,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  war  was  brevetted  captain  for  gallant  conduct  at  the 
battle  of  Five  Forks.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
Columbia,  but  instead  of  continuing  the  classical  course  he  took 
up  the  study  of  science,  and  was  graduated  from  the  School  of 
Mines  (1868)  with  the  degree  of  Engineer  of  Mines.     In  1877,  he 


Scbcrmcrborn  1^3 

was  elected  a  trustee  of  the  university,  which  office  he  has  held 
ever  since.  He  is  President  of  the  New  York  histitution  for  the 
Blind,  a  member  of  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  the  Loyal 
Legion  of  America,  the  American  Geographical  Society,  and  other 
learned  bodies. 

Other  distinguished  members  of  the  family  were  Henry  Au- 
gustus [  1 840],  a  brilliant  scholar,  who  was  graduated  from  Columbia 
(1861),  and  took  the  degrees  of  A.M.  (1863)  and  LL.B.  Henry 

(1867);  Dr.  Burr,  who  was  graduated  from  the  College  Augustus 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  1863;  William  Barnewell,  who  was 
graduated  from  Columbia  in  1863;  Bruce,  who  was  graduated 
from  Columbia  in  1833;  Daniel  C,  who  was  graduated  from 
Columbia  in  1824;  and  Judge  Cornelius,  who  was  graduated 
from  the  same  institution  in  1806,  and  practised  law  for  many 
years  in  this  State. 

The  women  of  this  race  have  been  noted  for  their  social 
graces.  Nearly  all  married  well  and  enjoyed  long  and  happy 
wedded  lives.  In  every  generation  they  have  been  at  the  very 
head  of  New  York  society,  and  in  the  present  decade  they  still 
wield  that  sovereignty  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  William  Astor. 
They  have  been  women  of  deep  religious  sentiments,  and  have 
been  identified  with  church  work  in  all  of  its  forms.  They  have 
written  their  names  indelibly  upon  the  pages  of  philanthropy  in 
the  history  of  the  metropolis. 

The  family  typifies  the  growth  of  the  Empire  State.  Its  early 
members  were  active  in  the  opening  of  the  primeval  forest-lands 
and  thereafter  in  the  development  of  travel  and  traffic.  They 
were  among  the  first  to  establish  the  higher  education  in  New 
York,  and  have  ever  since  been  closely  connected  with  its  college 
and  university  life.  In  the  present  century  they  have  aided  gener- 
ously in  the  formation  and  support  of  learned  bodies  and  semi- 
educational  institutions.  They  have  never  sought  office,  and  of 
all  the  old  families  of  the  State,  they  have  been  the  most  reserved. 
This  reserve  has  not  been  that  of  selfish  isolation,  but  has,  on  the 
contrary,  been  accompanied  by  an  ideally  democratic  conduct. 
They  have   looked  after    the    welfare  of  their  neighbors  and 


124  Scbermerborn 

fellow-citizens,  and  have  in  every  generation  increased  the  pros- 
perity of  the  community. 

From  the  earliest  time  they  perceived  the  maritime  importance 
of  "New  York.  They  realized  that  the  possession  of  the  Hudson, 
the  Sound,  the  Kills,  and  "Newark  Bay  involved  a  mine  of  inex- 
haustible wealth  to  Manhattan  Island.  They  were  advocates  of 
the  Erie  and  Champlain  Canal,  the  Morris  and  Essex,  the  Delaware 
and  Raritan,  and  of  the  harbor  improvements  which  have  been 
going  on  for  more  than  a  century.  They  took  part  in  the  develop- 
ment of  coastwise  and  river  navigation,  and  laid  the  foundation 
for  many  mercantile  enterprises  between  New  York  and  the  coast 
cities  of  the  Atlantic.  It  was  this  clear  statesmanlike  view  which 
enabled  them  to  take  advantage  of  opportunities  unperceived  by 
others,  and  to  accumulate  that  wealth  which  is  usually  the  reward 
of  intelligence  and  determined  effort.  The  name  Schermerhorn 
bears  the  same  relation  to  the  coastwise  shipping  of  New  York 
that  the  names  of  Astor,  Low,  and  Grinnell  do  to  its  huge  ocean 
traffic. 


Schuyler 


125 


VvWA'^ 


General  Philip  Schujler 
From  the  painting  by  Trumbull 


XXXII 


SCHUYLER 


'WO  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  (1651) 
a  handsome  young  Dutchman,  Philip 
Pietersen    Van    Schuyler,  p^iiip 

came  across  the  seas  from  Pietersen 
Holland  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  known  to-day  as 
Albany.  He  represented  the  finest 
type  of  Dutch  manhood,  being  brave, 
intelligent,  energetic,  and  religious. 
He  was  a  pioneer  in  the  best  sense 
of  the  word,  and  in  addition  was  a 
commander  of  men  and  an  organizer 
of  industry.  He  was  a  successful  farmer,  acquiring  an  estate 
which  enriched  his  descendants  for  many  generations.  He  was 
eminent  as  a  public  leader,  preserving  friendly  relations  with 
the  Indians,  directing  the  conquest  of  the  wilderness,  and  aiding 
newly  arrived  immigrants  to  obtain  a  foothold  in  the  valleys  of  the 
Hudson  and  the  Mohawk.  He  married  Margherita  Van  Schlich- 
tenhorst  soon  after  his  arrival,  and  had  a  numerous  family,  all  of 
whom  inherited  his  health  and  physical  and  mental  strength. 

Of  his  children,  Pieter,  the  oldest  son,  was  the  most  conspicu- 
ous. With  Dutch  thrift,  he  circulated  a  petition,  presented  it  in  per- 
son, and  obtained  a  royal  charter  in  1688  for  the  city, 
under  the  new  name  of  Albany.     Incidentally  with  the 

incorporation,  came  his  appointment  as  Mayor.    The  mayoralty 

127 


Pieter 


128  Scbupler 

was  more  important  in  colonial  days  than  at  the  present  time,  it 
had  military  and  legal  as  well  as  executive  obligations,  and  in 
general  jurisdiction  was  almost  the  equal  of  the  governorship. 
On  account  of  the  exigencies  of  the  time,  the  Mayor  was  the  In- 
dian Commissioner  or  Agent.  He  was  popular  among  the  red 
men,  who  named  him  "Quedor,"  a  sobriquet  by  which  he  was 
well-known  in  northern  New  York. 

in  1689,  the  war  broke  out  between  England  and  France, 
affording  the  doughty  Mayor  the  opportunity  of  proving  himself 
as  brilliant  a  soldier  as  he  was  a  statesman.  From  this  period  up 
to  his  death,  in  1724,  his  life  was  one  of  the  chief  glories  of  New 
York.  He  was  indefatigable;  he  kept  his  own  property  well  in 
hand,  organized  the  people  of  northern  New  York  into  military 
companies,  established  forts  at  strategic  points,  led  several  expedi- 
tions into  Canada,  then  an  appendage  to  the  French  Crown,  made 
treaties  with  the  Puritan  colonies  in  New  England,  and  alliances 
with  the  Indian  tribes  in  the  Empire  State.  When  affairs  were 
looking  dark  for  the  colony,  he  took  a  delegation  of  Indian  chiefs 
across  the  sea  and  presented  them  to  Queen  Anne.  It  is  hard  to 
say  which  produced  the  greatest  sensation  at  the  English  capital 
—  the  handsome  Dutch  Mayor  or  the  stalwart  sagamores.  They 
were  entertained  in  the  most  lavish  style  of  old-fashioned 
hospitality,  which,  according  to  old  historians,  nearly  ruined 
the  Honorable  Pieter's  digestion  and  half  demoralized  his  redskin 
colleagues.  But  it  had  the  effect  desired.  When  the  chiefs 
returned  laden  with  clothing,  jewels,  arms,  toys,  watches,  and 
baubles  they  created  such  a  furor  among  the  Iroquois  that  from 
that  time  on  the  Mayor  had  no  difficulty  in  gathering  an  Indian 
army  whenever  needful.  The  historians  of  the  time  are  singu- 
larly unanimous— the  English,  Canadians,  and  Americans  pro- 
nouncing Pieter  the  best  soldier  and  statesman  of  his  period,  while 
the  French  chroniclers  refer  to  him  as  the  most  ferocious  and 
bloodthirsty  enemy  of  the  King  of  France.  The  fame  of  Pieter 
has  obscured  his  brothers,  Brandt,  Arent,  and  John,  who  were  gal- 
lant officers  and  public-spirited  citizens,  the  latter  also  having  been 
Mayor  of  Albany.     Pieter  might  have  had  a  title  had  he  so  desired, 


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Scbuv>lci*  129 

but  when  knighthood  was  offered  him  by  Queen  Anne  he  refused 
the  honor.  He  explained  his  declination  on  two  grounds:  first, 
that  it  might  humble  his  brothers,  who  were  just  as  good  men  as 
he;  and,  second,  that  it  might  make  the  women  of  his  family  vain. 
Pieter's  bravery  came  as  much  from  his  mother  as  his  father.  The 
former,  Margherita  Van  Schlichtenhorst,  was  living  in  the  fort  at 
Albany  when  a  party  of  soldiers  came  to  seize  the  place.  The 
Colonel,  her  son,  was  away  at  the  time,  and  the  men  attached  to 
the  house  were  at  their  wit's  ends;  but  the  woman  was  equal 
to  the  emergency.  She  summoned  the  men,  called  them  to  arms, 
and  drove  out  the  assailants. 

in  the  third  generation,  the  most  conspicuous  figure  was  that 
of  Colonel  Philip,  Jr.,  Pieter's  oldest  son.  According  to  his  tomb- 
stone, he  was  "a  gentleman  improved  in  several  public  employ- 
ments." He  was  a  capable  soldier,  a  shrewd  statesman,  and  a 
good  business  man.  He  married  his  cousin,  Margaret  Schuyler 
(1701-1782),  whose  many  graces  have  been  recorded  in  Mrs. 
Grant  of  Laggan's  interesting  book,  Memoirs  of  an  Amcriccin  Lady. 

From  Arent,  Philip  Pietersen's  third  son,  are  descended  the 
Schuylers  of  northern  New  Jersey,  where  many  still  own  large 
estates  along  the  Passaic  River.  To  this  branch  belongs  Colonel 
Pieter,  son  of  Arent,  the  gallant  commander  of  the  ' '  Jersey  Blues  " 
during  the  "Old  French  War,"  who  will  be  remembered  for  his 
humanity  and  generosity  while  in  Canada  toward  the  captives  of 
the  French  and  Indians  whom  he  rescued  or  ransomed,  as  well 
as  toward  the  prisoners  he  himself  made. 

The  fourth  generation  brings  upon  the  boards  the  greatest  of 
the  family,  Major-General  Philip  Schuyler,  who  was  born  in  1733, 
and  died  in  1804.    He  was  a  man  who  could  have  sue-     ,,  .    ^ 

^  Major-Gen. 

ceeded  in  any  calling,  so  well  rounded  was  his  mental  Phnip 

and  moral  eciuipment.  Webster  pronounced  him  second  only  to 
Washington  among  the  great  Revolutionary  heroes.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  practically  the  head  of  the 
Schuyler  family.  He  had  wealth,  power,  and  culture;  he  held 
a  commission  under  the  British  Crown,  and  could,  had  he  so  de- 
sired, received  knighthood.     His  interests  were  bound  up  in  the 


I30  Scbu^ler 

English  cause,  and  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  colonies  seemed  to 
mean  ruin.  He  was  an  aristocrat  by  birth,  breeding,  and  associa- 
tion. Nevertheless,  when  the  conflict  came  he  threw  up  his  com- 
mission and  gave  himself  to  the  Revolutionary  cause.  His  career 
during  the  seven  years'  war  is  known  to  every  one,  and  it  is  gen- 
erally conceded  that  it  was  his  genius  which  won  the  battle  of 
Saratoga.  After  the  Revolution,  he  took  an  active  part  in  public 
aflairs,  serving  as  a  delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress,  and  as 
a  United  States  Senator. 

General  Schuyler  was  not  covetous  of  public  office.  From 
boyhood  he  was  marked  by  an  equanimity  seldom  found  among 
the  children  of  the  wealthy.  He  was  generous  to  a  fault.  Under 
the  law  of  primogeniture,  which  then  prevailed,  he  was  entitled 
to  the  major  part  of  the  paternal  estate.  He  refused  to  accept  it, 
however,  and  shared  the  patrimony  with  his  brothers  and  sisters. 
The  first  half  of  the  eighteenth  century  was  not  an  age  when  edu- 
cation flourished.  Conviviality  and  social  pleasures  engrossed  the 
attention  of  the  higher  classes,  but  young  Schuyler  made  himself 
conspicuous  even  then  by  his  studious  habits.  In  this  determina- 
tion he  was  greatly  aided  by  his  mother,  Cornelia  Van  Cortlandt. 
He  was  a  fluent  French  scholar,  had  a  good  knowledge  of  Dutch, 
German,  and  Latin,  excelled  in  mathematics,  and  was  more  than 
proficient  in  civil  and  military  engineering. 

The  first  recognition  of  his  ability  came  when  he  was  a  young 
man.  The  Commissary  Department  of  the  British  Army  was  in 
a  muddled  condition,  and  Lord  Viscount  Howe,  the  commander, 
selected  young  Schuyler  to  take  charge  of  an-  important  branch 
of  the  work.  There  was  a  protest  from  many  officers,  who 
resented  the  placing  over  them  of  what  they  called  a  boy.  Lord 
Howe  is  said  to  have  replied  that  he  did  not  like  to  appoint  a  boy, 
but  when  a  boy  was  the  only  one  who  could  do  the  work  prop- 
erly, he  had  to  appoint  him.  It  was  just  before  this  time,  September 
17,  1755,  that  Philip  Schuyler  married  Catherine  Van  Rensselaer, 
a  noted  beauty  of  the  period,  daughter  of  Colonel  John  Van 
Rensselaer.  The  choice  was  a  happy  one,  as  the  wife  possessed 
the  determination  and  heroism  of  the  husband.     Her  daughter 


Scbu^lcr  131 

wrote  concerning  her:  "  Perhaps  1  may  relate  of  my  mother,  as 
a  judicious  act  of  her  kindness,  that  she  not  infrequently  sent  a 
milch  cow  to  persons  in  poverty.  .  .  .  When  the  Continental 
Army  was  retreating  before  Burgoyne,  she  drove  in  her  chariot 
with  four  horses  to  Saratoga  to  remove  her  household  articles. 
While  there,  she  received  directions  from  General  Schuyler  to  set 
fire  to  his  extensive  fields  of  wheat— which  she  did  with  her  own 
hands— and  to  induce  his  tenants  and  others  to  do  the  same,  rather 
than  suffer  them  to  be  reaped  by  the  enemy.  She  also  sent  her 
horses  on  for  the  use  of  the  army,  and  returned  to  Albany  on  a 
sled  drawn  by  oxen." 

Of  Philip's  chivalry,  the  best  witness  was  his  adversary,  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne.  This  British  commander  in  the  House  of  Commons 
delivered  a  speech  in  which  he  held  General  Schuyler  up  to  the 
admiration  of  Parliament.  He  said:  "By  orders  a  very  good 
dwelling-house,  exceeding  large  storehouses,  great  sawmills,  and 
other  outbuildings,  to  the  value  altogether  of  perhaps  ten  thousand 
pounds,  belonging  to  Gen.  Schuyler  at  Saratoga,  were  destroyed 
by  fire  a  few  days  before  the  surrender.  One  of  the  first  persons 
1  saw  after  the  convention  was  signed  was  General  Schuyler,  and 
when  1  expressed  to  him  my  regret  at  the  event  which  had 
happened  to  his  property,  he  desired  me  to  think  no  more  of  it, 
and  said  that  the  occasion  justified  it  according  to  the  rules  and 
principles  of  war.  He  did  more:  he  sent  an  aide-de-camp  to  con- 
duct me  to  Albany,  in  order,  as  he  expressed  it,  to  procure  better 
quarters  than  a  stranger  might  be  able  to  find.  That  gentleman 
conducted  me  to  a  very  elegant  house,  and  to  my  great  surprise 
presented  me  to  Mrs.  Schuyler  and  her  family.  In  that  house  1 
remained  during  my  whole  stay  in  Albany,  with  a  table  with  more 
than  twenty  covers  for  me  and  my  friends,  and  every  other  pos- 
sible demonstration  of  hospitality." 

This  home  in  Albany  saw  all  the  great  men  and  women  of 
the  land.  The  library  contained  the  best  collection  of  books  in  the 
colony.  This  room,  or  den,  as  the  owner  called  it,  was  a  favorite 
resort  of  Aaron  Burr,  who  went  there,  when  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  at  Albany,  to  prepare  his  cases  and  write  his  orations. 


132  Scbu^ler 

There  he  met  the  daughter  of  General  Schuyler,  whom  he  was  to 
make  a  widow  by  shooting  her  husband,  Alexander  Hamilton. 
General  Schuyler  displayed  great  political  wisdom  and  statesman- 
ship during  his  term  in  the  Senate. 

Of  General  Schuyler's  children,  eight  reached  maturity  and 
married.  Only  one  took  part  in  public  affairs— Philip  J.  Schuyler, 
who  was  a  Representative  in  Congress  from  Dutchess 
"''  '  County  and  a  valued  citizen.  The  other  seven  exer- 
cised great  social  influence  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century  and  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth.  Angelica  married 
John  Barker  Church;  Elizabeth,  Alexander  Hamilton;  Margarita, 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  the  Patroon;  John  B.,  Elizabeth  Van 
Rensselaer,  the  daughter  of  the  Patroon;  Rensselaer,  Elizabeth 
Ten  Broeck;  Cornelia,  Washington  Morton;  and  Catherine,  who 
will  be  long  remembered  as  the  godchild  of  Washington,  married 
Samuel  Bayard  Malcolm,  and,  upon  the  latter's  death,  James 
Cochran.  Six  of  the  eight  marriages  proved  fruitful,  though  in 
nearly  every  instance  there  was  a  preponderance  of  female  over 
male  descendants.  This  is  seen  in  the  small  number  of  those  who 
bear  the  General's  name,  and  the  very  large  number  of  those  who 
carry  his  blood  in  their  veins.  Among  the  names  which  now  repre- 
sent this  branch  of  the  house  are  Ogden,  Harison,  Baxter,  Bolton, 
Chambers,  De  Luze,  Seabury,  Peck,  Morton,  Van  Rensselaer, 
Nolan,  Douw,  Thayer,  Robb,  Andrews,  Berry,  Townsend,  Barber, 
Crosby,  Hamilton,  Church,  Cruger,  Pell,  and  Glover. 

The  oldest  son  of  General  Philip  was  John  Bradstreet  [1763], 
who  was  a  distinguished  engineer,  and  who  died  (1795)  from  a 
fever  contracted  while  engaged  in  the  construction  of  a  water- 
way from  Schenectady  to  Lake  Ontario.  He  inherited  the  Sara- 
toga estate.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer. 

Philip  of  Saratoga  [1788],  son  of  John  Bradstreet,  was  gradu- 
ated from  Columbia  in  1806  and  immediately  afterward  began  a 
brilliant  career.  He  was  a  canal  advocate  and  secured  the  con- 
struction of  the  great  canal-basin  at  Schuylerville.  He  established 
at  the  latter  place  the  second  cotton-mill  in  New  York  State.     He 


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Scbu\>Icr  133 

served  in  the  New  York  Assembly  (1822)  and  made  an  excellent 
United  States  Consul  at  Liverpool.  He  married  Grace,  sister  of 
Hon.  John  Hunter.  His  life  was  noted  for  its  generosity  and  hospi- 
tality. At  his  first  home  in  Schuylerville,  and  his  second  and  last, 
at  Pelham-on-the-Sound,  he  entertained  with  princely  liberality. 
He  was  enthusiastic  in  his  love  of  humanity,  giving  all  the  time 
he  could  to  church  work  and  charity. 

John  [1825],  son  of  Philip  of  Saratoga,  was  educated  at  the 
New  York  University  and  became  a  civil  engineer.  In  this  profes- 
sion he  rose  to  the  highest  rank,  and  became  an  authority  on 
railway  construction  and  bridge-building.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Order  of  the  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  elected  progressively  sec- 
retary, general  treasurer,  and  vice-president.  His  chief  relaxation 
was  the  study  of  astronomy  and  Egyptology,  in  both  of  which 
sciences  he  was  a  distinguished  expert.   He  died  unmarried  in  1895. 

Philip  Jeremiah  [1768],  second  son  of  General  Philip,  settled 
in  Rhinebeck,  where  he  attained  great  prominence.  He  served  in 
the  Assembly  and  held  many  responsible  offices.  He  married 
Sarah  Rutzen,  and,  after  her  death,  Mary  Anna  Sawyer. 

George  Lee  [181 1],  son  of  Philip  Jeremiah,  was  born  in  Rhine- 
beck  and  came  to  New  York  early  in  his  career,  where  he  became 
a  civil  engineer  of  high  repute.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  modern  system  of  transportation  upon  the  Hudson  River  and 
Long  Island  Sound,  and  shares  with  Stevens,  Astor,  and  Stock- 
holm the  credit  of  having  developed,  if  not  created,  that  system 
which  has  been  so  potent  in  increasing  the  wealth  of  the 
Metropolis. 

He  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil 
War,  and  served  as  an  aide-de-camp  with  rank  of  Colonel  on  the 
staff  of  General  Wool,  as  agent  for  the  Union  Defence  Committee 
and  as  agent  for  the  Federal  Government.  He  enjoyed  considera- 
ble reputation  as  a  writer  and  historical  student.  He  was  married 
twice,  both  wives  being  grand-daughters  of  Alexander  Hamilton. 
He  was  active  in  club  life,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Union, 
Knickerbocker,  and  New  York  Yacht  Clubs.  He  was  probably 
best  known  to  the  public  as  one  of  the  original  owners,  with  J. 


\ 


134  Scbu^ler 

C.  Stevens,  E.  A.  Stevens,  Hamilton  Wilkes,  and  J.  Beekman 
Finley,  of  the  America's  Cup.  In  1882,  he  was  the  sole  survivor 
of  that  famous  group  of  yachtsmen. 

In  1887,  he  was  the  referee  in  the  international  race  between 
the  Volunteer  and  the  Thistle.  He  had  one  son,  Philip,  and  two 
daughters,  Louisa  Lee  and  Georgina.  The  present  head  of  this 
branch  is  Philip  [1836].  He  was  educated  at  Harvard  (1853)  and 
the  University  of  Berlin  (1857).  He  read  law  with  the  late  Ben- 
jamin D.  Silliman.  He  joined  the  Seventh  Regiment  N.  Y.  N.  G. 
in  1859,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion  left  New  York  for  the 
defence  of  Washington,  in  May,  he  entered  the  regular  army  as 
lieutenant  and  became  major  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services. 
He  has  been  identified  with  the  management  of  several  large  local 
institutions,  including  the  New  York  Hospital  and  its  Asylum  for 
the  Insane  at  White  Plains  and  the  New  York  Blind  Asylum.  He 
is  a  trustee  of  the  New  York  Public  Library,  Astor,  Lenox,  and 
Tilden  Foundation,  and  of  the  Zoological  Gardens.  He  inherits 
his  father's  yachting  tastes  and  has  been  tleet-captain  of  the  New 
York  Yacht  Club. 

Louisa  Lee  [1837],  daughter  of  George  Lee  and  Eliza  Hamilton 
holds  a  high  rank  in  philanthropy  and  patriotism.  At  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Civil  War  she  joined  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission 
and  was  one  of  the  chief  volunteer  workers  of  the  New  York 
Branch  during  the  four  years  of  that  great  struggle.  So  closely 
did  she  attend  to  her  duties  that  her  health  was  impaired  and  she 
was  obliged  to  pass  some  time  in  Europe,  in  1872,  as  a  result  of 
her  visits  among  the  poor  and  to  institutions  for  their  benefit,  she 
organized  the  "  State  Charities  Aid  Association,"  which  has  been 
so  potent  a  factor  in  the  reforms  of  institutional  work  in  the 
Empire  State.  To  this  Aid  Association  she  has  given  her  time 
and  labor  up  to  the  present  date.  Her  achievements  include 
reports,  recommendations,  studies  upon  pauperism,  hospitals, 
asylums,  and  the  care  and  treatment  of  the  pauper  insane.  She 
is  especially  distinguished  for  her  ability  in  initiating  and  further- 
ing reform  measures  and  for  her  power  of  enlisting  the  sympathy 
of  the  community  in  such  undertakings. 


Louisa  Lee  Schuyler 


The  hiterior  of  the  Schuyler  House  on  31st  Street 


Scbu^lcr  135 

She  accepted  the  honorary  position  of  representative  of  New 
York  State  on  the  Woman's  Board  of  the  Columbian  Exposition 
at  Chicago  1892-g"),  and  in  igoo  was  chosen  an  honorary  member 
of  the  Woman's  Board  of  the  Pan-American  Exposition  at  Buffalo. 

Arent  Schuyler,  a  brother  of  Pieter,  the  founder,  is  the  head 
of  a  junior  branch  which  has  been  well  represented  in  official  and 
professional  life.    In  the  family  itself  it  has  been  known 

^  ■'  Arent 

as  the  clerical  division,  on  account  of  the  large  num- 
ber of  ministers  and  writers  it  contained.    To  this  line  belongs  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Montgomery  Schuyler,  who  was  born  in  New  York  City 
in  1814,  and  who  studied  at  Geneva,  now  Hobart,  and  at  Union 
Colleges.    After  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1834,  he  Rev. 

practised   law,  went  into  mercantile  life,  and  finally    Montgomery 
entered  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

He  was  a  rector  in  Marshall,  Mich.,  Lyons,  N.  Y.,  and 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.  He  then  went  to  Christ  Church,  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
where  he  labored  up  to  his  death,  in  1896,  serving  over  forty  years. 
When  his  church  was  made  the  cathedral  of  the  diocese,  he  was 
chosen  dean.  He  made  many  valuable  contributions  to  Church 
literature  and  ecclesiastical  publications. 

About  his  son,  the  Rev.  Louis  Sanford  Schuyler,  is  the  halo 
of  heroism.  He  was  born  at  Buffalo  in  1852,  graduated  from 
Hobart  in  1871,  entered  the  ministry  in  1874,  and,  when  Re^_  louIs 
the  yellow  fever  broke  out  in  1878,  was  the  first  to  sanford 
volunteer  upon  the  relief  committee,  and  obtained  an  assignment 
at  his  own  request  for  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  the  epidemic  was 
the  worst.  Here  he  fought  well,  but  paid  the  penalty  of  his 
philanthropy  with  his  life.  Memorial  services  for  him  were  held 
in  all  the  Protestant  Episcopal  churches  of  the  country,  as  well 
as  in  those  of  other  denominations. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Anthony  Schuyler,  cousin  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Montgomery  Schuyler,  was  another  distinguished  Episcopal 
divine.  After  graduation  from  Hobart  College,  he  Reverend 
studied  and  practised  law  for  ten  years.  He  then  took  Anthony 
sacred  orders,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  18=50,  at  the  age  of  thirty-four.     For  thirty-two  years 


136  Scbu^Icr 

he  was  rector  of  Grace  Church,  Orange,  N.  J.  A  ripe  scholar  and 
author,  he  was  rewarded  by  the  degrees  of  D.D.  and  S.T.D. 
He  died  November,  1900. 

Montgomery  Schuyler  [1843],  son  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Anthony 
Schuyler,  is  the  well-known  editor,  writer,  and  author  of  New 
York  City.  He  received  his  education  at  Hobart  Col- 
on gomery  ^^^^^  travcllcd  extensively  at  home  and  abroad,  and 
has  made  a  special  study  of  American  architecture. 

Montgomery  Schuyler,  Jr.,  son  of  Montgomery  and  grandson 
of  Anthony  of  the  Arent  line,  is  a  fellow  of  Columbia  University 
njonj.  and  the  author  of  monographs  upon  early  Persian  and 

gomery  II.      Sauscrit  religious  and  dramatic  literature. 

An  important  branch  begins  with  Captain  Philip,  fourth  son 
of  the  founder.  He  was  a  stalwart  farmer  and  brave  soldier,  and 
was  the  leading  spirit  in  Old  Saratoga  and  its  vicinity.  To  his 
energy  was  due  much  of  the  development  of  that  early  settle- 
ment. During  King  George's  War  (1744-48)  the  authorities  at 
Albany  gave  notice  that  they  could  not  protect  the  outlying 
towns  in  the  event  of  an  invasion  by  the  French  and  Indians,  and 
advised  the  settlers  to  rendezvous  at  the  northern  metropolis. 
Captain  Philip  refused  to  leave  and  fortified  his  house.  Here  he 
remained,  and  when  the  French  made  their  attack  in  1745  he 
was  one  of  the  many  heroes  who  fought  and  died  at  Saratoga  in 
defence  of  their  homes. 

Among  the  descendants  of  Captain  Philip  was  George  Wash- 
ington Schuyler,  his  great-grandson,  who  was  born  in  1810,  and 
George  d>ed  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  1888.     He  was  a  graduate  of 

Washington  ^^iq  (Juiversity  of  New  York.  He  studied  theology, 
but  turned  from  the  pulpit  to  commerce.  In  1863,  he  was  State 
Treasurer  and  in  1866  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Bank- 
ing Department  of  New  York.  He  served  in  the  Assembly  in 
1875  and  from  1876  to  1880  was  auditor  of  the  Canal  Department. 
He  was  undoubtedly  the  first  to  advocate  the  abolition  of  tolls 
upon  the  canal  and,  after  many  years'  agitation,  saw  his  project 
become  the  law  of  the  State  by  the  passage  of  a  Constitutional 
Amendment. 


Philip  Schuyler 

From  a  painting  by  R.  M.  Stagg 


The  Schuyler  Houie  "  Nevis,"  at  Tarrytown  on  the  Hudson 


Scbu^ler  137 

The  high  talents  of  George  Washington  were  transmitted  to 
his  son,  Eugene  Schuyler,  author  and  diplomat.  He  inherited 
the  intense  energy  of  the  founders  of  his  race.     He 

'='•'  Eugene 

was  born  in  1840,  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Egypt, 
at  fifty  years  of  age.  He  held  consular  and  diplomatic  posts  no 
less  than  ten  times,  and  in  all  acquitted  himself  creditably.  He 
was  a  popular  contributor  to  the  magazines  of  both  his  own 
country  and  England,  and  made  two  translations  from  the  Russian 
of  Turgenef  and  Tolstoy,  and  one  from  the  Finnish.  He  wrote  a 
biography  of  Peter  the  Great,  and  was  an  esteemed  member  of  a 
dozen  learned  societies. 

Viewed  as  a  unit,  the  Schuyler  family  has  had  a  great  influ- 
ence upon  the  Empire  State.  In  the  colonial  days  it  was  in  the 
front  rank  of  the  progressive  patroons,  and  aided  the  conversion 
of  the  northern  and  eastern  districts  of  the  commonwealth  from 
savagery  to  civilization.  It  was  always  liberal,  generous,  and 
tolerant.  These  virtues  it  brought  from  the  Netherlands,  and 
with  them  the  love  of  learning,  of  comfort,  and  refinement.  The 
Schuyler  homes  for  two  hundred  years  were  noted  for  hospitality, 
and  were  crowded  by  the  leading  men  and  women  of  the  time. 
Of  the  great  Revolutionary  characters,  more  than  one  half  were 
guests  at  some  time  of  the  Schuyler  mansion  in  Albany.  They 
devoted  their  activity  to  matters  of  general  welfare,  such  as  the 
extension  of  the  colonies  into  Canada,  the  construction  of  the 
Erie  Canal  system,  the  establishment  of  a  national  bank,  and 
the  upholding  of  the  national  honor  no  matter  at  what  cost.  In 
quiet  seasons  they  took  little  interest,  and  seldom  engaged,  in  the 
game  of  politics.  They  made  good  soldiers  and  landed  proprietors, 
and  were  gentlem.en  of  culture.  Where  they  had  pov/er  over  ten- 
ants they  never  abused  it,  and  never  were  arbitrary  or  tyrannical. 
During  the  Revolution,  tradition  says,  they  incurred  the  displeas- 
ure of  some  of  the  patroon  class  by  waiving  all  rents  from  tenants. 
They  did  this  from  pure  philanthropy,  and  probably  did  not 
realize  that  in  so  doing  they  were  making  the  stepping-stone  from 
the  then  existing  conditions  to  the  anti-rent  and  anti-quarter  sale 
agitation,  which  was  to  revolutionize  the  rural  system  of  New  York. 


Smith 


139 


A'.  V.^\     ■.  .      \ 


/ 


IVillijin  Smith 

Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 

From  a  miniature 


\ 


XXXIII 


SMITH 


|IVE  generations  of  college  men,  where- 
of each  has  supplied  distinguished 
lawyers  to  the  community,  is  the  sim- 
ple but  magnificent  record  of  the  Smith 
family  of  New  York.  Through  profes- 
sional ability,  it  has  enjoyed  the  ad- 
vantages of  wealth;  through  marriage, 
it  has  become  connected  with  many 
of  the  old  Knickerbocker  bloods,  and 
through  legal,  literary,  and  medical 
services,  it  has  stamped  itself  upon  the 
chronicles  of  the  State. 
Its  most  prominent  ancestor  was  William,  a  stalwart  soldier 
in  the  army  of  Oliver  Cromwell.  He  was  one  of  the  praying 
and  pious  soldiers  of  that  period,  who  taught  the 
world  the  impressive  lesson  that  a  religious  devotee 
was  more  than  a  match  in  the  tented  field  for  the 
conscienceless  free-lance  or  the  roystering  swashbuckler.  His 
was  the  type  which,  after  the  Restoration,  supplied  the  New  World 
with  so  much  of  its  best  material.  The  emigrants  brought  with 
them  across  the  seas  the  high  moral  purposes  and  the  indomitable 
patience  which  had  marked  them  in  the  civil  struggles  at  home. 
That  nearly  all  were  narrow-minded  and  intolerant,  is  often  charged 
against  them  as  a  heinous  fault.  Such  criticisms,  however,  over- 
look the  fact  that  the  conquest  of  the  New  World  demanded  the 

141 


William 
the  Soldier 
and  Puritan 


142  Smitb 

iron  virtues,  and  not  the  pleasing  courtesies  of  a  refined  civiliza- 
tion. The  great  colonies  of  the  world  have  been  founded  by 
heroes  and  zealots. 

William  the  soldier  was  born  in  the  Isle  of  Ely,  Cambridge- 
shire, England,  but  removed  and  settled  at  Newport  Pagnell,  Buck- 
inghamshire, where  he  died  about  1682.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Hartley  of  Lancashire,  by  whom  he  had  six  children — five  sons 
and  one  daughter:  William  11.,  James,  John,  Samuel,  Thomas 
(from  whom  the  New  York  branch  descends),  and  Christiana. 
Of  this  generation,  two  left  home  for  America.  William  11.,  the 
oldest,  emigrated  to  Jamaica,  W.  I.,  and  settled  at  Port  Royal, 
from  which  he  is  known  as  "  Port  Royal  "  Smith.  He  married 
"Port  Royal"  Frauces  Peartree,  daughter  of  Colonel  William  Peartree, 
Smith  ,^1-10  was  Mayor  of  New  York  in  1703.     From  him  are 

descended  the  Peartree-Smiths,  who  played  an  important  part  in 
the  Empire  State  in  the  eighteenth  century. 

Thomas,  the  fifth  and  youngest  son  of  William  I.,  was  born 
in  167^  at  Newport  Pagnell,  married  Susanna  Odell,  and  came  to 
Thomas  the  New  World  with  his  three  sons  in  17 15.  He  had 
the  Merchant  scarcely  more  than  landed  when  he  started  a  move- 
ment looking  toward  the  establishment  of  a  Presbyterian  Church, 
there  being  none  in  the  city  at  that  time.  Success  crowned  his 
efforts,  and  in  17 16  the  denomination  in  which  he  was  an  enthu- 
siastic worker  had  its  own  place  of  worship.  He  died  in  1745. 
He  was  a  merchant  and  a  man  of  large  means. 

Of  the  children  of  Thomas,  Judge  William  was  one  of  the 
great  men  of  his  period.  When  he  arrived  with  his  father  in  New 
Judge  York  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.    The  same  year 

William  (1715)  he  entered  Yale,  where  he  was  graduated  in 
1719,  and  took  the  degree  of  A.M.  in  1722.  For  the  next  two 
years  he  served  as  professor  at  that  institution  of  learning,  during 
which  period  he  showed  so  much  ability  that  in  1724,  when  but 
twenty-seven  years  old,  he  was  asked  to  become  the  President  of 
the  college.  He  declined,  as  he  had  already  taken  up  the  study 
of  law,  and  had  pursued  it  with  such  assiduity  in  his  leisure  hours 
that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  the  same  year.    Two  months 


Smitb  143 

afterwards  he  opened  a  law  office  in  New  York,  and  was  shortly 
in  the  enjoyment  of  a  good  practice. 

From  this  point  on  until  his  death,  in  1769,  he  was  a  leading 
figure  in  colonial  life.  He  appeared  in  nearly  every  litigation  of 
importance,  and  was  a  leader  in  each  political  issue.  In  politics, 
he  was  a  Whig;  in  his  ideas,  an  advocate  of  the  people  against 
the  Crown.  When  the  British  officials  undertook  the  prosecution 
of  John  Peter  Zenger,  editor  of  the  New  York  Weekly  Journal 
(1735),  William  Smith  and  James  Alexander  defended  the  accused, 
and  so  offended  the  magistrates  that  their  names  were  stricken 
from  the  roll  of  attorneys.  In  spite  of  the  power  of  the  Crown, 
Zenger  was  acquitted,  and  the  liberties  of  the  press  preserved. 
Although  his  disbarment  lasted  two  years,  it  only  served  to  in- 
crease his  power  and  influence  in  the  colony.  In  1736,  he  was 
made  Recorder;  in  1748,  he  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  Prince- 
ton College,  and  is  said  by  the  historian  of  that  institution  to  have 
drawn  up  the  first  charter  and  the  draft  of  the  second.  To  the 
end  of  his  life  "  he  was  the  earnest  friend  of  the  college,  and  one 
of  the  most  honored  and  influential  members  of  the  Board." 

The  cause  of  higher  education  was  neglected  in  New  York  in 
those  years.  Among  the  chief  men  of  that  period,  only  Judge 
Smith  and  Lieutenant-Governor  De  Lancey  were  college  grad- 
uates. The  first  step  toward  a  better  condition  was  taken  by 
Judge  Smith,  William  Alexander,  and  three  members  of  the  Morris 
family,  who  in  1732  petitioned  the  Assembly  to  establish  a  free 
school  for  teaching  Latin,  Greek,  and  mathematics.  This  was 
done  the  same  year,  and  proved  a  success.  The  experiment  was 
so  popular  that  the  same  men  now,  aided  by  other  leading  citizens, 
determined  to  have  a  college  in  their  own  city.  Funds  were  col- 
lected by  lotteries,  and  an  annual  grant  promised  by  the  Legis- 
lature. In  1 75 1,  trustees  were  appointed,  and  in  17^4,  the  charter 
of  the  College  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  known  as  King's 
College,  was  granted.  Owing  largely  to  Judge  Smith's  efforts, 
the  new  school  started  upon  a  liberal  and  almost  non-sectarian 
basis,  in  the  Board  of  Governors  were  the  rector  of  Trinity 
Church,  the  senior  minister  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 


144  Smitb 

Church,  the  minister  of  the  Ancient  Lutheran  Church,  the  minister 
of  the  French  Church,  and  the  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  con- 
gregation. In  1754,  the  Judge,  with  a  number  of  distinguished 
friends,  arranged  plans  for  a  public  library,  obtained  the  charter, 
and  started  what  is  now  the  New  York  Society  Library. 

The  year  1751  saw  the  Judge  appointed  Attorney-General 
and  Advocate-General.  Two  years  later,  he  was  made  a  member 
of  the  Council.  The  following  year,  he  was  chosen  to  be  one  of 
the  four  representatives  from  "New  York  to  the  General  Congress 
at  Albany.  In  1760,  the  office  of  Chief  Justice  was  offered  to  him 
by  Lieutenant-Governor  Cadwallader  Colden,  but  declined.  Three 
years  afterwards,  he  accepted  the  appointment  of  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Province,  and  held  it  with  singular  ability 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
being  Mary  Hett,  by  whom  he  had  fifteen  children;  his  second, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Scott  Williams,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue.  He 
applied  his  educational  ideas  to  the  training  of  his  children.  All 
were  good  French  and  Dutch  scholars,  and  thoroughly  versed  in 
English  literature.  The  sons  were  familiar  with  Greek  and  Latin, 
and  had  a  fair  knowledge  of  Hebrew. 

Thomas  [1700?],  the  second  son  of  Thomas  and  Susanna, 
was  a  merchant  and  real-estate  owner  of  considerable  wealth.  He 
Thomas  II.,  was  oue  of  the  first  to  develop  Orange  County,  where 
Merchant  j^g  j^ad  a  great  tract  of  land.  He  lived  at  Smith's 
Clove,  now  Monroe.  John,  the  third  son  [1702],  was  a  popular 
„     ,  ^        clergyman,  who  spent  the  larger  part  of  his  life  at 

Rev.  John 

White  Plains.  He  married  Mehetabel  Hooker,  by 
whom  he  had  four  sons  and  eight  daughters. 

In  the  fourth  generation,  William  Peartree  [1723]  was  a 
public-spirited  citizen  and  patriot,  who  was  very  active  in  civic 
affairs. 

Chief  Justice  Wiiiiam  [1728],  son  of  Judge  William,  was  the 
great  man  of  the  generation.  He  inherited  his  father's  character, 
Chief  Justice  ^ud  was  a  brilliant  student.  He  was  graduated  from 
William  Yale  in  1745,  when  but  seventeen  years  of  age.  So 
great  was  his  precocity  that  he  was  an  honor  man  in  the  classics. 


William  Smith 

Chief  Justice  of  New  York  and  of  Canada.      From  a  steel  engraving 


Smitb  145 

mathematics,  Hebrew,  and  medicine  —  a  wonderful  record  for  a 
mere  youth.  He  entered  his  father's  law  office,  where  he  had  as 
a  fellow-student  William  Livingston,  the  future  war-Governor  of 
New  Jersey.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1760,  and  formed  a 
partnership  with  Livingston,  the  tlrm  immediately  building  up  a 
lucrative  practice. 

Up  to  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  no  man  stood  higher  in  the 
affections  of  the  Colonials.  His  culture,  eloquence,  probity,  gen- 
tleness, and  breeding  made  him  a  universal  favorite.  He  was 
conscientious  to  a  f'uilt,  doing  things  that  to  the  great  world 
seemed  ultra-chivalrous  and  even  quixotic.  He  would  not  defend 
a  cause  which  he  knew  to  be  wrong,  and  when  he  served  as  ar- 
bitrator, he  refused  any  remuneration,  on  the  ground  that  a  judge 
should  never  have  any  fee.  He  declined  speculative  cases,  and 
would  not  permit  a  man  to  come  into  his  law  office  unless  it  was 
with  "clean  hands."  He  was  a  copious  writer,  wielding  a  pleas- 
ant and  powerful  pen.  His  chief  work,  A  History  of  the  Province 
of  New  York,  is  an  eighteenth-century  classic.  From  this  work 
he  takes  the  sobriquet  of  "  William  the  Historian," 

Yet  his  very  conscientiousness  plunged  him  into  a  sea  of 
trouble.  When  the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out,  his  sympathies 
were  with  the  people,  and  yet  he  believed  the  crime  of  rebellion 
to  be  unpardonable.  He  was  bitterly  opposed  to  the  tyranny  of 
the  British  Government,  but  he  thought  redress  should  be  sought 
along  peaceful  channels.  He  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions, 
refusing  to  take  part  in  the  rebellion,  on  the  one  side,  or  to  fight 
against  his  countrymen  on  the  other.  As  a  result,  he  was  named 
in  the  Act  of  Attainder,  and  his  estates  confiscated.  When  mod- 
erate counsels  prevailed,  the  act  was  cancelled,  and  the  Chief 
Justice  invited  to  return  to  New  York,  in  the  meantime,  he, 
with  his  son  William,  had  gone  to  England  on  the  evacuation  of 
New  York  in  1785.  In  1785,  he  was  appointed  Chief  Justice 
of  Canada,  where  he  exercised  the  functions  of  that  high  office 
with  honor  to  himself  until  his  death,  in  1793.  He  married  Jennet 
Livingston,  daughter  of  James  Livingston  of  New  York,  by  whom 
he  had  ten  children. 


VOL.  II — 10. 


146  Smitb 

Thomas  [1734],  the  second  son  of  Judge  William,  was  gradu- 
ated from  Princeton  (1754)  and  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1756.  He 
Thomas  was  a  patHot,  and,  unlike  his  brother,  a  Revolutionist, 
the  Lawyer  j^g  ^-jg  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  of 
the  Provincial  Congress.  His  law  practice  was  lucrative,  and  made 
him  a  wealthy  man,  outside  of  the  property  which  he  inherited. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Lynsen,  by  whom  he  had  a  large  family. 

Dr.  James  [1738],  the  third  son  of  Judge  William,  was  gradu- 
ated from  Princeton  (1757),  and  received  the  best  medical  education 
of  the  time  in  Europe,  and  especially  at  Leyden,  Hol- 
land. He  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  the 
medical  department  of  Columbia  College,  and  in  1768  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  chair  of  chemistry  and  materia  medica.  He  was  an 
active  Whig,  and  both  in  this  country  and  abroad  argued  manfully 
for  the  colonies.  He  was  not  alone  a  great  physician,  but  so  far 
ahead  of  his  time  as  to  be  pronounced  too  theoretical  and  fanciful. 
What  galled  the  practitioners  of  the  period  was  that  Dr.  James 
would  write  his  theses  in  Latin  or  else  employ  so  much  of  that 
language  in  his  medical  papers  as  to  render  them  unintelligible  to 
the  average  practitioner.  He  married  Mrs.  Atkinson,  a  wealthy 
widow  of  Kingston,  Jamaica,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

Joshua  Hett  [1749],  the  youngest  son  of  Judge  William,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1772.  He  was  a  successful  practitioner, 
Joshua  Hett  ^"^  duriug  the  Revolution  pursued  the  same  course  as 
the  Lawyer  j^jg  oldest  brother,  the  Chief  Justice.  He  was  involved 
in  the  Arnold  episode,  but  appears  to  have  been  innocent  of  all 
complicity  in  that  treachery. 

In  the  fifth  generation,  William  [1769],  the  son  of  the  his- 
torian, was  educated  in  New  York  and  England.  He  accompanied 
,„.„.     ,^      his  father  to  Canada,  where  he  was  made  Clerk  of 

William  the  ' 

Historian  the  Provlucial  Parliament,  in  18 14,  he  was  placed  in 
°  ^^  *  the  Executive  Council.  He  was  lieutenant-colonel  in 
the  Quebec  militia  and  a  successful  lawyer  and  writer.  His  chief 
work  was  A  History  of  the  Province  of  Canada,  similar  to  his 
father's  A  History  of  the  Province  of  New  York.  He  married 
Susan  Webber,  by  whom  he  had  five  children.     His  grandson, 


Smitb  147 

Lieutenant-Colonel  William  C.  Smith  of  the  British  Army,  is  the 
present  head  of  that  branch  of  the  family. 

Of  the  children  of  Thomas  of  Haverstraw,  second  son  of 
Judge  William,  the  most  important  was  Thomas,  Jr.  [1760?].  He 
was  a  lawyer  of  wealth,  who  devoted  most  of  his  time  Thomas,  jr., 
to  the  management  of  his  estate.  He  married  Mary  *''«  Lawyer 
Taylor,  daughter  of  John  Taylor,  a  merchant  prince  of  the  metrop- 
olis, by  whom  he  had  five  children. 

in  the  sixth  generation,  the  children  of  Thomas,  Jr.,  deserve 
special  mention.  The  oldest,  John  Taylor,  was  graduated  from 
Columbia  University  in  1805,  and  admitted  to  the  bar  j^hnTayior, 
in  1810.  He  became  District  Attorney  of  Rockland  District 
County,  and  for  many  years  was  active  in  State  affairs.  °"^^ 

He  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  De  Witt  Clinton  and  the  canal  policy, 
as  well  as  of  all  the  liberal  movements  of  his  period.  He  married 
Willimina  Stodart,  by  whom  he  had  six  children — three  sons  and 
three  daughters. 

The  head  of  the  seventh  generation,  and  of  the  house,  so  far 
as  America  is  concerned,  is  Charles  Bainbridge,  a  prominent 
member  of  the  New  York  bar.  He  is  a  son  of  John  charies 
Taylor  and  Willimina,  and  was  born  in  1822.  He  Bainbridge, 
studied   law   in  the  office  of  William  Curtis  Noyes,  ^''^^ 

and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1846.  He  has  been  an  active  and 
successful  practitioner  up  to  the  present  time.  He  married  twice, 
his  first  wife  being  Miss  Keteltas,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

In  the  eighth  generation  is  Eugene  Keteltas,  son  of  Charles 
Bainbridge.  He  was  educated  in  this  country  and  in  Eugene 
France,  and  resides  in  Vermont.  He  is  represented  Keteitas 
in  the  ninth  generation  by  two  sons. 

Female  descendants  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Smith  married 
into  the  following  families:  Bostwick,  Budd,  Delafield,  Denning, 
Doyle,  Gordon,  Hay,  Herbert,  Keteltas,  Livingston,  Mackie,  Mallet, 
Maturin,  Roberts,  Rose,  Ross,  Sewall,  Stewart,  Tallmadge,  Temple, 
and  Torrans. 

To-day,  when  all  are  agreed  upon  the  value  of  education, 
especially  in  its  relations  to  professional  and  social  life,  it  is  difficult 


148  Smitb 

to  appreciate  the  conditions  which  prevailed  in  the  first  century 
of  the  life  of  New  York.  Schools  were  few  and  poorly  patronized, 
and  such  of  the  citizens  as  desired  to  give  their  children  the  bene- 
fits of  the  best  mental  training  were  compelled  to  send  them  to 
New  England  or  to  the  old  country.  The  change  which  the 
colony  underwent  during  these  one  hundred  years  was  largely 
due  to  the  influence  and  activity  of  the  descendants  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  Smith.  They  had  big  hearts,  and  endeavored  not 
only  to  give  their  own  children  the  best  education  which  could  be 
procured,  but  also  to  place  educational  opportunities  within  the 
grasp  of  the  community.  Their  work  in  respect  to  Yale,  Prince- 
ton, and  Columbia,  and,  above  all,  the  example  which  they  them- 
selves set  for  their  neighbors,  were  two  forces  potent  for  good. 
That  the  family  has  sustained  its  own  traditions,  was  to  have  been 
expected. 


Stu^vesant 


149 


vi  -^"i^AK 


Peter  Stuyvesant 

After  an  engraving  of  the  picture  owned  by  the  N.  Y.  Historical 

Society 


XXXIV 


STUYVESANT 


Petrus  the 
Governor 


N  the  early  history  of  the  New  Nether- 
lands, one  man  towers  high  over  all 
the  rest.  A  soldier,  statesman,  patriot, 
and  philanthropist,  he  seems  to  have 
embodied  the  virtues  of  his  age. 
Petrus,  or  Peter,  Stuyvesant,  the  great 
Dutch  Governor  of  New 
York,  was  born  in  1602,  in 
Friesland.  His  father  was  a  clergy- 
man, who  gave  the  boy  an  excellent 
education,  and  developed  the  schol- 
arly instincts  which  were  to  mark  his 
subsequent  career,  but  neither  study  nor  the  quiet  life  of  Holland 
suited  a  youth  whose  vitality,  physical  and  mental,  was  of  heroic 
proportions.  At  an  early  age  he  had  shown  a  love  for  military 
life,  and  to  gratify  it  entered  the  service  of  the  West  India  Com- 
pany. This  corporation  represented  the  inordinate  ambition  of 
the  Dutch  leaders  of  that  period.  Upon  it  was  conferred  more 
power  than  had  been  bestowed  by  England  upon  the  East  India 
Company. 

It  had  plenary  rights  to  all  the  lands  it  might  discover,  occupy, 
or  conquer.  It  had  the  right  to  make  war  and  peace,  enter  into 
alliances,  raise  armies,  build  navies,  construct  fortresses,  adminis- 
ter justice,  impose  tariffs  and  other  forms  of  taxation,  and  its 
generals  and  admirals  enjoyed  an  independence  unlike  anything 

151 


152  Stu^vesant 

known  to  either  national  or  international  jurisprudence.  In  return 
for  these  mighty  prerogatives  it  was  obliged  to  report  its  trans- 
actions from  time  to  time  to  the  States-General  of  Holland,  and  to 
apply  to  them  for  commissions  for  its  chief  officials.  The  object 
of  the  corporation  was  to  build  up  a  trade  monopoly  and  a  landed 
empire  in  the  West,  as  had  been  done  in  the  East,  Indies. 

The  capital  of  the  West  India  Company  was  about  $2,500,000, 
which,  in  purchasing  power,  would  equal  about  $25,000,000  to-day. 
These  powers  and  wealth  made  it  a  quasi-political  entity,  stronger 
and  better  organized  than  many  of  the  European  nations  of  that 
period.  Conducted  by  business-men,  merit  was  the  criterion  of 
selection  and  advancement — more  than  in  the  administration  of 
public  affairs  by  the  governments  of  the  time.  From  the  em- 
ployees of  the  company  were  graduated  many  of  the  best  soldiers 
and  sailors  of  that  century.  Its  service  was  the  Mecca  of  adven- 
turers from  many  lands.  In  the  rosters  which  have  come  down 
to  the  present  day  may  be  found  names  of  English,  French, 
Swedish,  Spanish,  Italian,  German,  and  even  Russian  officials. 

Among  its  myriad  servitors,  Peter  Stuyvesant  was  prominent 
within  a  few  years  after  he  had  entered  its  employ.  Of  his  ex- 
ploits at  this  time,  but  little  has  come  down  from  the  past.  Yet 
that  little  shows  him  to  have  been  a  fearless  and  even  reckless 
fighter,  a  bold  strategist,  a  powerful  executive,  and  a  stern  dis- 
ciplinarian, and  by  a  seeming  contradiction,  a  man  of  great  kind- 
liness and  rare  generosity.  This  combination  of  attributes  made 
him  popular  if  not  beloved  among  the  fighting  men,  who  prepon- 
derated in  the  Company's  service.  He  took  part  in  the  brilliant 
campaign  against  Spain  which  resulted  in  the  conquest  of  several 
Spanish  territories  in  the  Antilles,  and  was  thereafter  made  Gover- 
nor of  the  island  of  Cura^oa. 

Here,  while  occupying  the  gubernatorial  chair,  he  led  an  ex- 
pedition against  the  island  of  St.  Martin,  which  belonged  to  Portu- 
gal, where,  according  to  an  ancient  wit,  he  lost  both  the  battle 
and  his  leg.  He  returned  to  Europe  for  surgical  aid,  and  while 
convalescing  was  so  eager  for  either  vengeance  or  the  carrying  out 
of  his  plans  that  he  secured  a  promise  from  the  directors  of  the 


Stu^vcsant  153 

Company  to  renew  the  attempt,  which  they  did  triumphantly  four 
years  later.  In  1046,  he  was  appointed  Governor  of  the  New 
Netherlands,  and  sailed  on  Christmas  morning  for  his  post.  The 
sting  of  defeat  must  have  been  rankling  in  his  bosom,  because  he 
did  not  proceed  directly  across  the  sea,  but  went  to  the  West 
Indies  and  to  Cura^oa,  where  he  arrived  early  in  1647.  Here  he 
held  many  councils  with  his  successor,  and  probably  among  the 
plans  which  the  doughty  veteran  expatiated  upon  was  the  expul- 
sion of  the  Portuguese  from  those  seas. 

He  reached  New  Amsterdam  in  May  of  that  year.  With  him 
were  his  wife,  Judith  Bayard,  the  daughter  of  a  distinguished 
Huguenot  divine,  and  his  sister  Anna,  who  had  married  Nicholas 
Bayard,  his  wife's  elder  brother,  but  who  had  been  widowed  and 
left  with  three  infant  sons.  This  group,  the  origin  of  two  families, 
may  be  regarded  as  a  genealogical  unit.  The  Bayards  had  in- 
herited the  grace,  intellectuality,  and  high  moral  sense  of  their 
clerical  sire,  while  the  Stuyvesants,  brother  and  sister,  seemed  to 
have  been  made  in  the  same  mould  of  physical  and  mental  power. 
The  two  women  were  to  wield  as  potent  an  influence  in  the  social 
sphere  as  the  great  Governor  in  the  political.  Even  at  home  they 
would  have  been  leaders  of  society.  They  were  brilliant,  cul- 
tured, and  accomplished.  Mrs.  Stuyvesant,  who  was  a  Bayard, 
was  beautiful,  artistic,  and  gentle.  Mrs.  Bayard,  who  was  a 
Stuyvesant,  was  massive,  forceful,  and  proud.  Each  had  a  talent 
for  business,  and  each  acted  as  a  tutor  to  her  children,  nephews, 
and  nieces.  They  deserve  special  reference  at  this  point  because 
they  exerted  a  profound  influence  upon  the  husband  and  brother. 
He  consulted  with  them  upon  many,  if  not  most,  matters,  and 
seemed  to  feel  more  confidence  in  their  opinions  than  in  those  of 
his  staff.  To  these  women  may  be  ascribed  much  of  the  moral 
force  which  prevailed  during  the  Stuyvesant  administration,  and 
which  was  noticeable  during  that  century. 

The  Dutch  women  were  notably  chaste  and  upright,  but 
were,  of  course,  apt  to  be  influenced  by  those  high  in  power. 
Mrs.  Stuyvesant  and  Mrs.  Bayard,  occupying  the  highest  official 
positions  in  the  colony,  set  an  example  in  both  word  and  deed 


154  Stu^vcsant 

similar  to  that  of  the  late  Queen  Victoria  in  the  century  just 
passed. 

The  Governor's  administration  may  be  called  the  golden  age 
of  the  New  Netherlands.  He  was  no  more  than  landed  when  he 
took  up  his  work,  and  never  wearied  so  long  as  he  was  in  power. 
He  organized  a  Council,  established  a  court  of  justice,  and  insti- 
tuted representative  government.  His  Assembly  was,  of  course, 
crude,  consisting  of  eighteen  delegates,  elected  by  the  people, 
from  whom  the  Governor  and  Council  selected  a  board  of  nine  to 
act  with  them  as  advisers.  He  framed  laws  for  the  better  govern- 
ment of  the  Indians,  improved  the  revenue  service,  and  increased 
the  treasury  receipts.  He  was  wiser  than  his  generation  in  disap- 
proving the  construction  of  poor  and  cheap  houses  and  encourag- 
ing the  building  of  those  of  a  better  type.  Worthy  of  mention 
was  his  establishment  of  a  town  market  and  of  an  annual  cattle 
fair  intended  to  benefit  the  dairy  and  stock  interests  of  the  com- 
munity. He  took  a  large  if  not  a  chief  part  in  founding  the  first 
public  school.  With  remarkable  foresight  for  that  period,  he  per- 
ceived the  necessity  of  accurate  boundaries,  and  for  a  long  time 
carried  on  a  spicy  controversy  with  Connecticut  upon  this  topic. 

As  may  be  supposed,  his  career  was  stormy.  He  was  a  born 
commander,  and  brooked  no  opposition.  According  to  modern 
standards,  he  was  a  genial,  kind-hearted  tyrant,  who  knew  no  law 
but  his  own  will.  He  quarrelled  with  the  patroons,  merchants, 
and  his  own  Council.  When  his  enemies  submitted  reports 
against  his  course  of  action  to  the  home  Government,  and  the 
States-General  commanded  him  to  appear  in  person  in  Holland, 
he  refused  to  obey  in  a  tirade  of  Dutch  eloquence  which  was  long 
remembered  by  his  hearers.  In  1665,  he  sailed  down  the  coast 
and  up  the  Delaware,  and  took  forcible  possession  of  the  Swedish 
colony  of  New  Sweden,  which  he  annexed  to  the  New  Nether- 
lands, and  called  New  Amstel. 

in  1664,  he  signed  the  treaty  of  surrender  to  Great  Britain, 
whereupon  the  town  of  New  Amsterdam  was  rechristened  New 
York.  Circumstances  connected  with  this  surrender  throw  a 
clear  light  upon  the  Governor's  character.    The  West  India  Com- 


Stu^vcsant  155 

paiiy  had  come  to  neglect  the  colony,  and,  in  spite  of  his  re- 
peated appeals  for  arms,  munitions  of  war,  and  soldiers,  had  done 
nothing.  He  was  not  on  friendly  terms  with  the  great  patroons, 
whose  estates  lay  between  New  Amsterdam  and  Fort  Orange, 
and  could  not  summon  levies  of  men  from  their  tenantry.  New 
England  was  growing  rapidly,  and  there  was  strong  jealousy  be- 
tween the  English  settlers  of  Connecticut  and  Long  Island  and 
his  own  government.  When,  therefore,  four  English  war-ships, 
with  four  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers,  arrived  in  the  harbor,  Stuy- 
vesant  had  scarcely  a  hundred  men  and  only  a  few  small  cannon 
to  oppose  them. 

The  English  commander  sent  a  summons  to  surrender  — 
promising  life,  liberty,  and  property  to  all  who  submitted  to  the 
royal  authority.  Stuyvesant  read  the  letter,  tore  it  to  pieces, 
and  set  about  making  the  best  defence  he  could.  Nicholas  Bay- 
ard, his  nephew,  picked  up  the  pieces  of  the  letter  and  put  them 
together.  An  anxious  crowd  had  collected  outside  of  the  Council 
chamber,  to  whom  the  letter  was  read.  Its  tone  was  so  kind 
and  moderate  that  the  people  declared  themselves  in  favor  of 
surrender.  A  petition  to  that  effect,  signed  by  nearly  all  the 
leading  citizens,  was  given  to  Stuyvesant,  who,  nevertheless, 
kept  on  preparing  for  battle.  Everything  was  ready  for  action  — 
the  English  fleet  and  soldiers,  reinforced  by  Connecticut  and 
Long  Island  troops,  on  the  one  side,  Stuyvesant  and  a  handful 
of  men  upon  the  other  —  when  his  favorite  clergyman  intervened, 
pointing  out  the  folly  and  hopelessness  of  so  unequal  a  struggle. 
Then,  and  not  till  then,  did  Stuyvesant  yield. 

His  after-life  was  uneventful.  He  devoted  himself  to  his 
cattle  and  farm,  the  latter  running  along  what  is  now  the  Bowery 
well  up  to  Harlem.  His  home  was  near  what  is  now  Eighth 
Street.  A  pear  tree  which  he  brought  from  Holland  in  1647  was 
planted  near  the  road,  and  lived  and  bore  fruit  until  1867.  Its  site 
at  that  time  was  the  corner  of  Thirteenth  Street  and  Third  Avenue. 

On  the  outer  wall  of  St.  Mark's  Church  is  the  tablet  record- 
ing his  death.  He  left  two  sons,  Balthazar  [1647]  and  Nicholas 
William  [1648]. 


156  Stu?ve0ant 

Balthazar  was  a  stanch  Dutch  patriot,  and  after 

Balthazar 

New  Netherlands  became  English  he  moved  to  the 
West  Indies. 

Nicholas  William  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  early  New 
York,  who  took  a  lively  interest  in  church  work  and  philan- 
Nichoias  thropy.  His  first  wife  was  Marie,  only  daughter  of 
William  William  Beekman,  who  died  childless.  His  second 
was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Commander  Slechtenhorst  of  Rens- 
selaerwyck,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Peter,  Anna,  and 
Gerardus  or  Gerard. 

Of  this  generation  Peter  died  unmarried,  Anna  espoused  the 

Rev.  Dr.  Pritchard,  a  popular  Episcopal  clergyman  of  the  period, 

and  Gerard,  his  second  cousin,  Judith  Bayard.    They 

had   four   sons,   of   whom  only  one,    Peter    [1727], 

left  issue. 

The  latter  married  Margaret,  the  daughter  of  Gilbert  Living- 
ston. He  occupied  a  leading  place  in  New  York  society,  his 
wealth  being  great  from  the  growth  in  value  of  the  Stuyvesant 
estate.  He  had  six  children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters.  This 
generation  was  probably  the  most  important,  socially,  in  the 
family  career,  both  sons  and  daughters  occupying  eminent  po- 
sitions in  the  colonial  world.  Judith  married  Benjamin  Winthrop; 
Cornelia,  Dirck  Ten  Broeck;  and  Elizabeth,  Colonel  Nicholas 
Fish;  while  Margaret  died  unmarried. 

Peter  Gerard  [1778],  was  graduated  from  King's  College 
(1794),  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practised  law  a  short  time. 
Peter  ^^  g^ve  up  the  profession  in  order  to  devote  himself 

Gerard  ^q  ^j-jg  (-^j-g  Qf  j^jg  j^j-gg  gstate.     He  was  twice  married, 

but  had  no  children  by  either  wife.  His  first  wife  was  Susan 
Barclay,  and  his  second  Helen  Rutherfurd.  He  founded  the  New 
York  Historical  Society,  of  which  he  was  President  from  1836 
to  1840. 

Nicholas  William  11,  married  Catherine  Livingston  Reade, 
daughter  of  John  Reade  and  Catherine  Livingston,  by  whom 
Nicholas  he  had  nine  children,  six  sons  and  three  daughters. 
William  II.     pgtgr^  the  oldest,  married  Julia  Martin. 


i^'s. 


rt   0 


.     5 

O      5j 

^< 

^    § 

■(/)    5! 
•v   „- 


Stu^vcoant  157 

Nicholas  William  III.  married  Catherine  A.  Cheeseborough; 
John  Reade  married,  first,  Catherine  Ackerley,  and  secondly, 
Mary  A.  Yates.  Gerard  married  Susan  Rivington  Van  Home, 
Robert  Reade  married  Margaret  A.  Mildeberger,  Joseph  Reade 
married  Jane  Ann  Browning;  Catherine  Ann,  the  oldest  daughter, 
married  John  Mortimer  Catlin;  Helen  C.  married,  first,  Henry 
Dudley,  secondly,  Francis  Olmsted,  and  thirdly,  William  S.  Mayo. 
Margaret  Livingston  married  Robert  Van  Rensselaer.  This  was 
a  generation  of  scholarly,  well-to-do  men,  who  devoted  them- 
selves to  their  estates,  to  study,  and  to  social  relations,  but  who 
took  little  part  in  the  great  world  of  affairs. 

In  the  seventh  generation  Julia  Helen  married  Rudolph  C. 
Winterhoff;  Catherine  S.,  Edward  M.  Neill;  Rosalie,  Aristede 
Pillot;  and  Gertrude,  Raymond  P.  Rogers,  U.  S.  N.;  Caroline 
Augusta,  Benjamin  A.  Onderdonk;  Margaret  L.  J.,  Howard  Wain- 
wright;  Helen  Mary,  Robert  Sandford;  Catherine  L.,  Francis  R. 
Butler.  Of  the  male  members,  Van  Rensselaer  Stuyvesant  did 
not  marry;  Henry  married  Caroline  Hoppock;  Robert,  Fanny  J. 
Gibson;  John  Reade,  Elizabeth  T.  Kendall;  Robert  R.,  Amelia 
Schuchardt;  A.  Van  Home,  Harriet  Le  Roy  Steward. 

To  this  generation,  on  the  maternal  side,  belongs  Lewis 
Morris  Rutherfurd,  a  great  scientist.  He  was  a  grandson  of  Judith 
Stuyvesant,  who  married  Benjamin  Winthrop.  Born  Lewis  Moms 
in  Morrisania  [1816],  graduated  from  Williams  College  Rutherfurd 
(1834),  admitted  to  the  bar  (1837),  in  1849  he  gave  up  law  for 
science.  Perceiving  the  importance  of  specialization  in  astro- 
nomical research,  he  took  up  astronomical  photography,  spectro- 
scopy, and  spectrologic  analysis.  With  an  intellect  of  extraordinary 
power,  and  with  pnough  wealth  to  experiment  upon  a  lavish  scale, 
he  made  remarkable  progress.  In  1863,  he  started  a  series  of 
papers  on  spectroscopic  astronomy  in  the  American  Journal  of 
Science  which  attracted  great  attention.  His  greatest  work  was 
the  construction  of  differential  gratings  and  of  machines  for  ruling 
lines  upon  glass.  So  delicate  were  these  instruments  that  they 
are  said  to  have  ruled  ten  and  even  fifteen  thousand  parallel  lines 
to  the  inch.     He  succeeded  in  dividing  space  with  the  same 


158  Stu^vesant 

accuracy  as  the  most  modern  balance  divides  and  weighs  matter. 
Honors  came  upon  him  thick  and  fast  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  was  a  trustee  of 
Columbia  College  and  a  member  of  scientific  associations.  He 
was  an  Associate  of  the  Royal  Astronomical  Society,  and  the 
recipient  of  more  than  a  hundred  medals,  titles,  degrees,  resolu- 
tions, and  other  marks  of  esteem  from  the  governments,  colleges, 
and  scientific  institutions  of  the  world.  As  physicist  and  astrono- 
mer, he  held  high  rank.  He  died  in  1 892,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 
His  wife  was  Margaret  Stuyvesant  Chanler,  and  his  oldest  son, 
Stuyvesant  Rutherfurd,  who,  by  act  of  Legislature,  transposed  his 
two  names. 

Genealogically,  the  latter  is  now  the  most  notable  member  of 
his  race,  being  descended  from  Governor  Stuyvesant  of  New  Am- 
sterdam, Governor  Winthrop,  of  Massachusetts,  Gov- 

Rutherfurd 

ernor  Dudley,  of  Connecticut,  Governor  Morris,  of  New 
Jersey,  Robert  Livingston,  Balthazar  Bayard,  Walter  Rutherfurd, 
and  Lewis  Morris,  the  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
He  was  graduated  from  Columbia  in  1863,  and  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Geographical  Society,  the  American  Museum 
of  Natural  History,  the  National  Academy  of  Design,  and  a  trustee 
of  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art.  The  other  male  members  of 
the  generation  are  the  children  of  Robert  R.  Stuyvesant,  F. 
Schuchardt  Stuyvesant,  who  married  Cornelia  U.  Bergen;  Gerard, 
who  married  Mildred  N.  Floyd,  and  Van  Home,  the  son  of  A. 
Van  Home  Stuyvesant. 

The  career  of  the  Stuyvesant  family,  since  the  time  of  Peter 
the  Governor,  has  been  marked  by  scholarship  and  social  prestige 
rather  than  by  political,  military,  or  commercial  genius.  It  has 
been  wealthy  from  the  first  generation,  and  has  used  its  wealth 
wisely  and  well.  Its  members  have  been  religious,  and  identified 
with  charitable,  educational,  and  other  public-spirited  movements. 
They  have  attended  to  all  social  duties,  and  from  the  landing  of  the 
bluff  Governor  to  the  present  time  have  dispensed  hospitality  to 
all  who  came  within  their  circle.  Through  marriage  they  have  be- 
come related  with  many  colonial  families,  but  these  relations  have 


Stu^vcsant  159 

been  mainly  local,  so  that  the  name  is  essentially  a  New  York 
name.  Upon  the  metropolis  their  name  is  stamped  indelibly; 
Bowling  Green,  Whitehall,  and  the  Battery  are  mute  witnesses  of 
the  old  Governor,  and  Stuyvesant  Square  of  his  ancient  country- 
seat. 


XTappen 


VOL.   II.— II, 

l6l 


■\,:\-\ 


Frederick  D.   Tappcn 
From  a  photograph 


^^ 

1 

pHpfr 

1 

^^^^L         ^^^^^^Hfll^Bf 

^ 

^^^1 

l^^k 

■    'ifll 

^B^:^' 

XXXV 


TAPPEN 


jMONG  the  families  of  the  Empire  State 
the  Tappens  or  Tappans,  as  the  name 
is  also  spelled,  hold  a  curious  position. 
Their  renown  rests  upon  achieve- 
ment, probity,  and  public  perform- 
ance, but  it  has  been  largely  increased 
by  the  attainments  of  another  family 
of  the  same  name.  It  is  probable 
that  the  Tappans  and  Tappens  of 
Massachusetts  and  of  New  York  are 
of  the  same  race.  From  the  time  of 
Henry  Vlll.  up  to  Charles  I.,  there 
was  a  small  but  constant  migration  of  sturdy  Hollanders  into  Eng- 
land. The  superiority  of  the  Dutch  in  spinning,  weaving,  bleach- 
ing, dyeing,  and  other  industrial  arts  made  them  desirable 
acquisitions  to  any  country;  and  in  spite  of  the  jealousy  of  fellow- 
craftsmen  in  Great  Britain,  they  received  in  the  main  a  hearty 
welcome  from  the  English  Government  and  people. 

The  New  York  Tappens,  at  least,  were  artisans  of  great 
ability.  In  the  old  records  they  are  referred  to  as  weavers,  glaze- 
makers,  shipsmiths,  and  builders.  The  records  of  the  sixteenth 
and  seventeenth  centuries  are  incomplete  and  oftentimes  untrust- 
worthy. Of  their  origin  nothing  is  known.  The  name  has  been 
derived  from  the  Dutch  and  also  from  the  old  English  patronymic 

of  Topham.     It  is,  however,  more  probable  that  the  English 

163 


1 64  tlappen 

family  of  Tappan  brought  its  name  from  the  Netherlands  rather 
than  that  it  changed  the  good  Saxon  patronymic  of  Topham  into 
Tappan.  "No  other  branch  of  the  Tophams  is  known  to  have  made 
swch  an  alteration,  and  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  an  English 
family  discarding  or  modifying  their  own  name  to  "  Dutchify  "  it. 
To  complicate  the  problem  still  further,  there  was  in  the  New 
Netherlands  a  Flemish  family  from  Luxembourg  which  spelled  its 
name  Tapin,  Tappin,  or  Tappen,  and  pronounced  it  Tappan,  and 
in  later  years  one  of  the  offshoots  spelled  it  to  conform  to  the 
pronunciation. 

The  Massachusetts  race  has  been  pre-eminent  for  intellectual- 
ity, philanthropy,  and  practical  Christianity;  the  Luxembourg  for 
professional  attainments;  while  the  Knickerbocker  stock  has 
gained  renown  by  its  sturdy  manhood,  its  high  character,  public 
spirit,  and  mental  attainments.  The  distinction  of  each  branch 
has  been  shed  upon  the  other  two.  The  New  York  family  of 
Tappen  came  to  the  New  World  about  1630,  and,  after  remaining 
a  brief  time  in  New  Amsterdam,  went  to  Fort  Orange,  where  it 
settled  and  remained  for  two  generations.  It  then  broke  asun- 
der, the  main  line  removing  to  Kingston,  where  it  became  distin- 
guished in  matters  of  the  State  and  nation.  The  junior  line  remained 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Albany  and  sent  out  shoots  to  the  West, 
which  took  root  and  grew  into  stately  growths  in  the  course  of 
the  years. 

The  founder  was  Jurian  Teunisse,  who  married  a  daughter  of 
Wybrecht  Jacobse.  Jurian  must  have  brought  considerable  prop- 
jurian  ^rty  with  him  from  the  Old  World,  as  he  appears  to 

the  Founder  j^jjyg  j^ggp  j^  g^gy  circumstances,  if  not  affluence,  from 
the  first.  He  was  popular  with  the  people  and  on  terms  of  warm 
friendship  with  the  patroons  and  leading  merchants.  He  was  a 
devout  member  of  the  Dutch  Church  and  during  the  inclement 
winters  devoted  a  certain  number  of  hours  every  week  to  visiting 
and  caring  for  the  sick  poor.  The  same  kindly  spirit  actuated  him 
in  his  dealings  with  the  Indians,  who  called  him  "The  Good 
Chief. "  His  married  life  was  happy  and  uneventful.  In  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  (1654-1677)  he  seems  to  have  operated  largely  in 


tTappen  165 

real  estate,  buying,  selling,  and  exchanging  upon  a  scale  indi- 
cating the  possession  of  large  means. 

in  the  second  generation  the  leading  figures  were  Tunis  and 
Jurian  11.    They  were  well-to-do  farmers  and  traders,  Tunis  seem- 
ing to  have  had  the  larger  mercantile  talent.     He  carried 
on  commerce  with  New  Amsterdam  and  afterwards  New 
York;  and  on  several  occasions  seems  to  have  done  business  directly 
with  Holland.     At  that  time  most  of  this  trade  was  in  the  hands 
of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  the  patroons,  and 
the  high  officials.    The  few  private  citizens  who  en- 
gaged in  it  were  men  of  means,  prominent  position,  or  of  influence 
with    the    authorities.     During   the    Indian    troubles,   the    two 
brothers  were  enrolled  in  the  militia,  and  probably  took  part  in 
the  fighting  which  occurred  at  that  time.     Like  their  father,  they 
were  devout  and  charitable,  and  were  active  members  of  the 
group  which  made  Albany  at  that  time  the  rival,  if  not  the 
superior,  of  New  York. 

The  wife  of  Tunis  was  Sarah  Schepmoes,  a  Dutch  belle  of  the 
time.  The  wedding,  which  occurred  in  1695,  was  one  of  the 
most  notable  social  events  of  the  year.  The  wealth  and  social 
position  of  the  parties,  the  beauty  of  the  bride,  and  the  popularity 
of  the  groom  brought  together  a  very  distinguished  assemblage 
from  all  the  settlements,  even  from  Breuckelen  and  Staten  Island. 
The  wedding-feast,  tradition  says,  was  a  seven  days'  talk.  Be- 
side the  luxuries  in  food  and  drink  imported  from  the  old  coun- 
try, there  was  an  unusual  supply  of  game,  which  had  been 
purchased  from  the  Indians,  or  had  been  contributed  by  the 
redmen  and  hunters.  It  lasted  two  days,  during  which  time 
every  friend  and  neighbor  was  expected  to  come  and  help  him- 
self. In  middle  age,  Tunis  removed  to  Kingston,  which  he  made 
his  permanent  home. 

In  the  third  generation,  the  great  personality  was  Christoffel, 
who  was  born  in  Albany,  but  whose  life  is  identified  with  King- 
ston, the  whilom  capital  of  the  Empire  State.     He  re- 

•        1  „  1  •  ,.  ,  ,  Christoffel 

ceived  an  excellent  education  as  well  as  a  handsome 
patrimony  from  his   father,  Tunis,   and   on  the  latter's   death 


1 66  happen 

inherited  the  larger  part  of  the  paternal  estate.     He  married  Cor- 
nelia Vas  or  Vos,  a  handsome  heiress,  by  whom  he  had  a  large 
family  of  vigorous  and  able  children.     Upon  his  farm  he  built  a 
fine  homestead,  where  he  entertained  generously.     He  held  many 
minor  offices,  both  in  the  public  service  and  church  administration. 
In  the  fourth  generation,  Christopher  the  patriot  was  the 
leading  figure.    A  man  of  marked  ability,  he  became  prominent 
Christopher     iu  early  life,  and  during  a  long  career  held  many  offices 
the  Patriot     ^j-  j^Qj^gr  aud  importance.     Chief  of  these  was  mem- 
bership in  the  First,  Third,  and  Fourth  Provincial  Congresses, 
where  he  took  strong  grounds  in  favor  of  colonial  liberty  and 
independence.      He  was  a  trustee  of  Kingston,  speaker  of  the 
Board,  a  magistrate,  and  President  of  the  Board  of  Magistrates. 
He  was  deputy  county  clerk  from  1759  to  18 12  and  county  clerk 
from  18 12  to  182 1.     His  home  was  destroyed  on  the  burning  of 
Kingston  by  the  British.     At  this  juncture  he  displayed  a  gal- 
lantry and  patriotism  worthy  of  notice.     When  the  attack  began 
it  was  evident  that  there  was  no  hope  of  successful  resistance  and 
there  was  barely  enough  time  for  the  citizens  to  save  their  private 
property.     Christopher  had  before  him  the  alternative  of  preserv- 
ing either  the  public  records  or  his  own  personal  belongings,  in- 
cluding family  heirlooms,  deeds,  and  other  evidences  of  wealth. 
He  did  not  hesitate  a  second,    but  took  his  own   horses  and 
wagons  to  the  court-house  and  removed  the  public  records  in 
safety,  leaving  his  home  to  the  torch  of  the  foe.     After  the  evacu- 
ation he  rebuilt  the  family  home,  constructing  it  of  stone  and 
brick,  and  making  it  as  fire-proof  as  the  resources  of  that  century 
would  permit.     Here  he  kept  open  house,  as  had  been  the  habit 
of  his  father  and  grandfather.     The  mansion  was  the  favorite 
resting-place  of  Governor  George  Clinton,  who  was  Christopher's 
brother-in-law,   as  well  as  of  the  State  and  national   leaders. 
Catey,  a  sister  of  Christopher,  married  Gilbert  Livingston.     Dr. 
Peter,  a  younger  brother,  was  a  distinguished  physi- 

Dr.  Peter  >        J  o  »  o  r    y 

cian,  whose  courtesy  and  attainments  made  him  be- 
loved in  private  life,  and  whose  bravery  and  patriotism  during  the 
Revolution  made  him  an  idol  of  the  public.    A  letter  is  preserved 


ZEappcn  167 

from  Gilbert  Livingston  to  Dr.   Peter,  which  gives  in  pleasant 
fashion  an  account  of  the  year  1775: 

"New  York,  June  29,  1775. 


( ( 


Dear  Brother — You  will  see  by  the  warrants  who  are  nomi- 
nated officers  for  your  County;  it  is  very  likely  we  shall  raise  an 
additional  number  of  troops  beside  the  three  thousand  now  raised. 
We  expect  all  diligence  will  be  used  in  Recruiting,  that  the  regi- 
ments may  be  formed  immediately.  Last  Saturday  about  two 
o'clock  the  Gens.  Washington,  Lee  and  Schuyler  arrived  here; 
they  crossed  the  North  River  at  Hoback  and  landed  at  Col, 
Lispenards.  There  were  eight  or  ten  companies  under  arms  all 
in  uniforms  who  marched  out  to  Lispenards,  the  procession  began 
from  there  thus,  the  Companies  first.  Congress  next,  two  of  Con- 
tinental Congress  next,  general  officers  next  and  a  company  of 
horse  from  Philadelphia  who  came  with  the  General  brought  up 
the  rear :  there  were  innumerable  Company  of  people,  Men,  Wo- 
men and  Children  present.  In  the  evening  Gov.  Tryon  landed 
as  in  the  newspapers.  I  walked  with  my  friend  George  Clinton, 
all  the  way  to  Lispenards,  who  is  now  gone  home.  1  am  very 
well,  hope  all  friends  so.  The  Tories  Catey  writes  are  as  violent 
as  ever,  poor  insignificant  souls,  who  think  themselves  of  great 
importance.  The  Times  will  soon  show  1  fancy  that  they  must 
quit  their  Wicked  tenets  at  least  in  pretense  and  show  fair,  Let 
their  hearts  be  black  as  Hell.  Go  on,  be  spirited  and  I  doubt  not 
success  will  crown  our  Honest  endeavors  for  the  support  of  our 
just  rights  and  privileges." 

Cornelia,  another  sister  of  Christopher,  married  Governor 
George  Clinton,  so  that  the  family  in  this  generation  became  allied 
with  the  two  houses  of  Livingston  and  Clinton,  then  the  great 
war  leaders  of  the  State. 

Two  sons  in  the  fifth  generation  continued  the  prestige  of 
their  name.  Christopher,  Jr.,  the  lawyer,  was  a  man  Christopher, 
of  marked  ability  and  oratorical  and  literary  power.  J""'*"" 

He  married  Cornelia  Kiersted. 


1 68  ZTappen 

More  conspicuous  was  John  [1766].  He  received  a  good 
education,  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  His  tastes 
John  were  literary  and  journalistic,  rather  than  forensic,  and 

the  Editor  i^Q  began  contributing  to  the  press  even  before  he  at- 
tained his  majority.  He  entered  journalism,  and  became  a  popular 
and  influential  editor.  His  best-remembered  work  was  done  while 
he  was  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Plebeian,  which  afterwards 
became  the  Ulster  Gazette.  The  paper  was,  anti-Federalist,  and 
through  its  epigrammatic  and  argumentative  power  exerted  great 
influence  upon  the  political  arena  in  the  early  part  of  the  nine- 
teenth century. 

Colonel  Charles  Barclay  [1796]  represented  the  sixth  genera- 
tion. He  was  a  son  of  John,  the  editor,  and  was  an  artist  by  taste 
Colonel  ^nd  an  architect  by  profession.  Intensely  patriotic,  he 
Charles  B.  voluuteered  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  served  with  great 
gallantry  throughout  the  conflict.  After  the  war  his  military  in- 
stinct kept  him  in  touch  with  the  militia,  and  in  1833  he  was 
made  Colonel  of  the  Two  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth  Regiment  of 
the  National  Guard  of  New  York  State.  He  was  deeply  interested 
in  the  development  of  New  York  City,  of  which  many  of  the  finest 
buildings  were  the  products  of  his  brain.  From  1835  to  1838  he 
was  the  City  Superintendent  of  Repairs,  a  post  equivalent  to  a 
modern  municipal  department  of  public  works.  He  was  happily 
married  and  had  a  numerous  family.  He  lived  to  the  extraordi- 
nary age  of  ninety-seven,  and  left  behind  him  eleven  children  and 
more  than  thirty  grandchildren  and  great-grandchildren. 

Here  belongs  the  famous  educator.  Rev.  Henry  Philip  [1805]. 
Graduated  from  Union  (1825),  he  entered  Auburn  Theological 
Seminary,  where  he  took  orders  in  1827.  Five  years  later,  he  ac- 
cepted the  chair  of  moral  philosophy  in  the  University  of  New 
York  City.  In  1852,  he  was  elected  the  first  chancellor  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  which  he  held  for  eleven  years,  during  which 
he  made  that  institution  famous  for  its  efficiency  and  excellence. 
He  was  a  strong  and  fluent  writer,  contributing  to  the  periodical 
press  and  publishing  at  least  seven  books  of  more  than  ephemeral 
value. 


happen  169 

Of  the  seventh  generation,  Frederick  D. '  [1829]  is  the  head. 
He  was  educated  at  the  Columbia  Grammar  School  and  the  New 
York  University  (1849).  Attracted  by  financial  science,  Frederick  d. 
he  began  his  career  in  the  National  Bank  of  New  York,  ^^^  p'°=^°c'" 
which  afterwards  became  the  Gallatin  National  Bank.  In  1857, 
he  rose  to  be  cashier,  and  in  1868  president,  which  position  he 
has  held  ever  since,  being  probably  the  oldest  of  the  great 
bankers  of  the  nation.  He  is  one  of  the  few  Americans  who, 
beside  mastering  ordinary  banking,  have  attained  renown  in  the 
fields  of  high  finance.  His  ability  in  this  direction  has  given  him 
national  and  international  fame.  In  times  of  commercial  panic  or 
general  depression,  he  has  been  instrumental  in  steering  the  ship 
of  credit  through  the  shoals  of  adversity. 

In  the  panics  of  1873,  1884,  1890,  1893,  and  1901  he  was  a 
leader  in  the  movement  of  the  great  banks  which  checked  the 
headlong  fall  of  prices  in  Wall  Street,  and  prevented  the  forced 
insolvency  of  hundreds  and  even  thousands  of  responsible  busi- 
ness concerns.  He  has  the  confidence  of  the  banking  world  and 
of  the  vast  business  community  which  depends  upon  banks  for 
the  transaction  of  the  enormous  trade  of  the  United  States,  in 
honor  of  his  services  in  this  field  the  great  banks  of  New  York 
presented  to  him,  as  a  token  of  affection  and  esteem,  a  silver 
tankard  which  in  itself  was  an  epitome  of  financial  history. 
It  was  made  more  than  two  hundred  years  ago,  and  was  first 
presented  to  Sir  John  Houblon,  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  and 
first  Governor  of  the  Bank  of  England,  who,  in  a  monetary  crisis 
in  1693,  took  such  prompt  and  decisive  measures  as  to  restore 
confidence  to  the  business  world  and  end  disasters  which  were 


'  Frederick  D.  Tappen  passed  away  in  March,  1902.  In  his  death  the  banking  world  lost  one  of 
its  leading  figures.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  representatives  of  nearly  all  of  the  financial  interests 
of  the  metropolis  and  a  public  meeting  of  the  bankers  of  the  city  was  held  at  the  clearing-house  on 
Cedar  Street  to  honor  his  memory. 

Addresses,  describing  and  commending  his  life-long  services,  were  delivered  by  George  G.  Wil- 
liams, president  of  the  Chemical  National  Bank,  J.  Edward  Simmons,  president  of  the  Fourth  National 
Bank,  Joseph  C.  Hendrix,  president  of  the  National  Bank  of  Commerce,  Thomas  L.  James,  president  of  the 
Lincoln  National  Bank,  Alexander  Gilbert,  president  of  the  Market  and  Fulton  banks,  and  Vice-President 
Hepburn  of  the  Chase  National  Bank. 

Nearly  all  of  the  banks  of  the  city  half-masted  their  flags,  and  similar  action  was  taken  by  bankers 
in  other  cities  of  the  Union. 


1 70  happen 

threatening  British  credit,  both  public  and  private.  Upon  it  is  an 
inscription  which  tells  in  quaint  language  the  story  of  that  famous 
year.  In  the  course  of  the  centuries  this  tankard  passed  from 
the  hands  of  the  family,  which  is  now  believed  to  be  extinct, 
and  came  into  the  possession  of  a  New  York  collector  of  antiques. 
From  him  it  was  secured  by  Mr.  Tappen's  colleagues  and  pre- 
sented to  him  just  two  hundred  years  after  its  first  presentation 
for  exactly  similar  reasons. 

Mr.  Tappen  has  been  President  of  the  Clearing-house  Associ- 
ation twice,  Vice-President  of  the  Metropolitan  Trust  Company, 
a  director  of  the  Astor  National  Bank  and  Queen  Insurance  Com- 
pany, and  a  trustee  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company.  He 
married  Sarah  A.  B.  Littell. 

The  Tappens  of  New  York  have  been  characterized  from  the 
first  by  vigor,  executive  ability,  and  conservative  patriotism. 
The  founder  was  one  of  the  greatest  real-estate  operators  of  his 
period,  and  the  present  head,  seven  generations  afterwards,  is 
one  of  the  leaders  of  the  financial  world.  The  intervening  links 
have  been  men  of  similar  tastes  and  tendencies.  They  have 
cared  little  for  the  pomp  and  glory  of  life,  but  have  possessed  a 
deep  faith  in  the  great  gospel  of  work,  and  the  fruits  of  their 
labor  have  usually  been  dispensed  in  the  forms  of  hospitality, 
philanthropy,  and  charity. 


Dan  B  u  r  e  n 


171 


iV»'V\ 


Martin  l^an  Buren 

From  a  steel  engraving 


XXXVI 
VAN    BUREN 


^HEN  the  patroons  had  secured  the 
magnificent  grants  of  virgin  territory 
which,  according  to  their  hopes  and 
ambitions,  were  to  become  populous 
and  opulent  feudal  estates  in  years 
to  be,  their  first  care  was  to  obtain 
settlers  in  the  Old  World  to  consti- 
tute a  vassal  yeomanry  in  the  New. 
According  to  the  means,  the  influ- 
ence, or  ability  of  these  landed  pro- 
prietors, or  their  agents,  were  the 
numbers  and  quality  of  the  colonists 
whom  they  thus  secured.  While  nearly  all  of  those  who 
crossed  the  sea  in  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century 
were  of  the  same  general  class,  namely,  vigorous  and  intelli- 
gent peasantry  or  artisans,  there  was  considerable  difference  in 
their  character  and  accomplishments.  They  varied  from  stern, 
religious,  and  energetic  Scotch  and  Huguenots,  to  easy-going  and 
unambitious  Dutch  farmers.  It  must  be  said  that  nearly  all  of 
the  tenantry  were  admirable  morally.  In  many  cases,  we  know 
that  they  were  certified  to  by  their  pastors  at  home;  in  other 
instances,  we  find  allusions  in  the  archives  to  instructions  to 
agents  to  secure  agriculturists  of  probity  and  good  name. 
Further  evidence  is  shown  by  the  infrequency  of  crime  and  vice 
in  the  early  Knickerbocker  years. 

173 


174  ^an  Burcn 

In  this  respect,  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  and  the 
patroons  are  entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  prosperity.  In  securing 
good  men  and  women,  they  builded  better  than  they  knew,  and 
assured  to  the  new  community  beyond  the  ocean  a  moral,  men- 
tal, and  physical  strength  which  is  seldom  found  in  colonies, 
based  more  or  less  upon  commercial  considerations.  Here 
Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  is  entitled  to  special  consideration.  He 
appears  to  have  taken  greater  precautions  in  the  selection  of  his 
tenants  than  any  other  of  the  leading  men  of  the  time.  As  far  as 
possible,  he  chose  young  men,  especially  young  married  men. 
He  had  an  eye  for  the  future  as  well  as  for  the  present. 

Cornelius  ^ 

Maessenthe  Amoug  his  colouists  was  Comelius  Maessen,  who 
emigrated  from  Buren,  a  village  in  the  western  part  of 
Gelderland,  lying  a  few  miles  from  the  River  Rhine. 

Unfortunately,  the  records  do  not  show  whether  he  was  a 
native  of  the  place.  At  that  time  such  names  as  Van  Buren  were 
not  family  names  in  our  sense  of  the  word,  but  adjective  phrases, 
indicating  nativity  or  accidental  or  legal  connection  with  a  place. 
Cornelius  himself  did  not  use  the  name  Van  Buren,  so  far  as  is 
known,  but  signed  himself  Cornelius  Maessen,  which  in  English 
would  be  Cornelius,  the  son  of  Maes.  It  was  his  son,  Martin, 
who  seems  to  have  first  used  the  geographical  name,  and  who 
signed  himself  Martin,  or  Marten,  Cornelissen  Van  Beuren. 

The  founder  sailed  from  the  Netherlands  in  1631,  bringing 
with  him  a  young  wife,  Catalyntje  Martense,  and  a  son.  Marten, 
or  Martin,  who,  according  to  an  ancient  legal  document,  was 
born  in  Houten,  a  village  not  far  from  Buren.  On  the  voyage  a 
second  son,  Hendrick,  was  born.  This  f:ict  he  used  in  later  life 
to  claim  the  honor  of  being  the  first  Dutchman  born  in  the  New 
World.  The  family  came  over  in  the  stout  craft  Rensselaerswyck, 
which,  as  the  name  indicates,  was  employed  by  the  great  patroon 
for  the  transportation  of  his  tenants,  servants,  and  supplies. 

On  reaching  the  New  World,  he  stopped  a  brief  time  at  New 
Amsterdam,  where  probably  he  looked  with  amazement  at  the 
funny  little  fort  which  Governor  Pieter  Minuit  had  improved,  and 
at  the  wigwams  which  were  to  be  found  a  short  distance  from  the 


IDan  Buren  175 

settlement.  He  proceeded  up  the  river  to  a  point  a  little  below 
Greenbush,  which  was  then  known  as  Papsknee.  Here  he 
settled  on  a  farm  leased  from  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer.  The  few 
glimpses  which  the  student  is  able  to  obtain  of  this  period  show 
a  wise  administration  on  the  part  of  the  patroon.  He  charged 
little  or  nothing  for  bringing  over  the  colonists,  and  when  they 
settled  upon  his  land,  he  gave  them  all  the  necessary  supplies 
and  aided  them  in  clearing  the  soil  and  making  a  home.  In 
return,  he  asked  one-tenth  of  the  product  of  the  soil  and  a  quasi- 
feudal  allegiance  to  him  in  his  capacity  as  patroon.  Compared 
with  the  Factor's  Agreements  of  the  Southern  States,  where  the 
landlord  and  tenant  divide  the  produce  of  the  land  equally,  or  those 
of  the  West,  where  the  owner  takes  one-third  and  the  tenant  two- 
thirds,  Kiliaen's  system  seems  to  have  been  singularly  generous. 

Cornells  was  not  a  poor  farmer,  like  many  of  the  emigrants 
of  his  time.  He  brought  with  him  some  property  and  a  man- 
servant or  farm-hand,  Cornells  Teunissen,  who  afterwards  be- 
came a  trader  and  commissary.  The  career  of  the  first  Van  Buren 
was  quiet  and  uneventful.  His  land  was  fertile,  and  under  his 
management  yielded  large  crops.  One  year  the  records  show 
that  he  paid  a  tithe-rent  of  one  hundred  bushels  of  grain  and  a 
small  amount  of  garden  produce,  which  would  indicate  a  total 
crop  of  over  one  thousand  bushels  of  grain  alone.  He  invested 
his  money  in  real  estate,  one  tract  of  which  was  a  farm  on  the 
Island  of  Manhattan,  next  to  the  land  belonging  to  Governor 
Wouter  Van  Twiller.  His  farm  lay  between  Christopher  and 
Fourteenth  streets,  and  ran  from  a  line  west  of  Broadway  down 
to  the  North  River.  Cornells  left  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 
The  latter  married  Dirck  Wesselse  (Ten  Broeck),  merchant,  who 
afterwards  became  Recorder  and  Mayor  of  Albany,  and  a  major 
in  Colonel  Pieter  Schuyler's  famous  regiment. 

One  of  the  sons,  Maes,  for  some  unknown  reason,  adopted 
the  family   name   of   Bloemingdael,  which    probably  M^es 

represented  the  poetic  title  of  his  farm.  From  him  sioemingdaei 
comes  the  Bloomingdale  family  of  New  York,  who  genealogically 
are  Van  Burens. 


176  IDan  Buren 

Martin  [1629]  was  a  substantial  citizen,  who,  after  he  came 
of  age,  settled  at  Albany.  He  was  active  in  local  affairs,  and  in 
ca  tain  '  1^  ^^^  Captain  of  a  military  company  in  Colonel  Pieter 
Martin  Schuylcr's  regiment.     He  married  twice:  first,  Maritje 

Quackenbosch,  and,  second,  Tanneke  Adams,  widow.  He  was 
the  ancestor  of  the  President. 

Hendrick[i6}i]  remained  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  paternal 
home.  He  was  a  rich  farmer  and  a  devout  member  of  the  Dutch 
Hendrick  Reformed  Church.  During  the  Indian  outbreak  of  1663 
the  Devout  ^g  proved  himself  a  brave  soldier.  He  died  leaving  five 
children. 

The  third  generation  found  the  family  well  established  at 
Albany,  near  Greenbush.  Cornelius,  son  of  Martin,  married 
Martin  Ariaautjc  Gerritse  Vandenberg,  by  whom  he  had  one 

the  Deacon  ggu.  Comelia,  his  sister,  married  Robert  Teunise  Van 
Deusen,  who  was  the  head  of  the  family  of  that  name.  Peter 
married  Ariaantje  Barentse  Meindersen.  Martin,  the  most  promi- 
nent figure  of  this  generation,  was  a  freeholder  of  Rensselaerwyck 
in  1720,  and  a  leading  member  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  Albany. 
He  was  twice  married. 

The  fourth  generation  repeated  the  experience  of  the  third. 
The  Van  Burens  grew  in  numbers,  influence,  and  wealth.  Among 
the  more  conspicuous  members  were  the  following:  Tobias  [1690], 
son  of  Cornelius,  who  became  the  ancestor  of  the  Ulster  County 
branch  ;  he  inherited  a  fortune  from  his  father  and  a  small  estate 
from  his  grandfather,  Martin.  Marritje  [1701],  daughter  of  Martin, 
married  Johannes  Vosburgh,  a  prominent  member  of  the  family  of 
that  name.  Barent  [1702],  her  brother,  was  a  wealthy  farmer, 
Barent  who  married  twice:  first,  Margrietje  Van  Vechten,  and, 

the  Wealthy  gecoud,  Mrs.  Catalyntje  Van  Buren  Schermerhorn,  and 
had  issue  by  both.  Martin  [1705],  another  brother,  married  The- 
notje  Vanderberg.  Tobias  [17 10]  married  Marritje  Hun,  by  whom 
he  had  one  son.  Other  sons  of  Martin  in  this  generation  by  his 
second  wife,  Maria  Vandenberg,  were  Petrus  [1723],  who  married 
Marritje  Vanderpoel;  Johannes,  or  John  [1725],  who  married  Mar- 
ritje Briesch ;  Benjamin  [1731],  who  married  Cornelia  Salisbury; 


IDan  Buren  177 

Tobias  [1737],  who  married  Catalyntje  Witbeck.  The  children 
of  Peter  in  this  generation  were  Cornelius  [1693],  who  married 
Maria  Litner;  Barent  [1695],  who  married  Maria  Winne,  and 
Tobias  [1697],  who  married  Anna  Goes  or  Hoes. 

In  the  fifth  generation  several  members  are  noteworthy. 
Peter  [1733],  son  of  Martin,  married  Catharine  Quackenbosch. 
They  had  a  large  plantation  near  Kinderhook,  and  were  the  god- 
parents of  President  Van  Buren.  Abraham  [1737]  mar-  captain 
ried  Maria  Goes  Van  Alen.  They  are  best  known  as  Abraham 
the  parents  of  the  President.  Abraham  was  a  fine  type  of  a  revo- 
lutionary patriot.  He  was  a  strong  advocate  of  popular  rights  be- 
fore the  Revolution,  and  upon  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  was 
among  the  first,  if  not  the  first  in  Kinderhook,  to  enlist  under  the 
colonial  banners.  He  rose  to  be  a  captain  in  the  regiment  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Abraham  Van  Alstyne,  a  maternal  relative. 

Of  the  sixth  generation,  the  most  eminent  was  Martin  [1782], 
eighth  President  of  the  United  States.  A  remarkable  memory, 
great  physical  and  mental  vigor,  and  infinite  patience  Martin 

combined  to  make  him  successful  in  life.  He  took  ad-  ^^^  President 
vantage  of  such  educational  facilities  as  were  to  be  found  in 
Columbia  County  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and 
began  to  read  law  when  a  boy  of  fourteen  years.  He  worked 
tirelessly  for  seven  years,  serving  as  office-boy,  messenger,  clerk, 
copyist,  practitioner  in  constables'  courts,  and  collector. 

In  the  evening  he  spent  his  time  at  debating  clubs,  and  before 
he  attained  his  majority  had  become  noted  for  his  logical  power 
as  well  as  eloquence.  He  displayed  a  love  for  politics  from  youth, 
and  at  eighteen  was  a  member  of  a  political  convention.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  when  coming  of  age,  and  opened  a  law  office 
at  Kinderhook  with  his  half-brother,  James  I.  Van  Alen.  The 
same  year  he  was  a  vigorous  speaker  in  the  gubernatorial  cam- 
paign, and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  his  candidate.  General 
Morgan  Lewis,  elected  to  the  executive  chair.  He  at  once  became 
prominent  in  State  politics;  in  1807,  he  was  a  leader  of  the  move- 
ment in  favor  of  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  against  his  former  friend, 
Lewis,  and  was  again  with  the  victors.     Shortly  afterward,  as  a 


VOL.  II.— 12. 


178  IDan  Buren 

reward  for  his  services,  he  was  appointed  Surrogate  of  Columbia 
County  by  Governor  Tompkins,  displacing  his  half-brother,  who 
belonged  to  the  Lewis  faction.  In  1813,  the  balance  of  power 
shifted,  and  Van  Men  replaced  him  in  turn. 

By  181 1,  he  had  become  one  of  the  State  leaders  of  his  party, 
and  the  following  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  as  a  Clinton 
Republican,  defeating  Edward  P.  Livingston,  who  was  supposed 
to  be  invincible.  In  1815,  the  Attorney-Generalship  was  awarded 
to  him,  and  the  following  year  he  was  re-elected  to  the  Senate. 
He  removed  to  Albany,  where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Ben- 
jamin F.  Butler,  in  the  same  twelve-month  he  made  himself  a 
foremost  advocate  of  the  Erie  Canal.  Politics  at  this  period  was  in 
a  chaotic  state,  the  main  parties  being  broken  up  into  factions, 
which  were  more  bitter  toward  one  another  than  toward  the 
opposition.  Yet,  out  of  these  conditions,  with  a  masterly  skill 
for  organization,  Martin  so  manipulated  personal  and  political 
forces  that  in  182 1  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate, 
being  only  thirty-nine  years  of  age. 

His  course  at  the  Federal  capital  was  marked  with  the  same 
tact  and  shrewdness  as  at  Albany.  He  seemed  to  divine  what 
the  people  wanted,  and  was  in  nearly  every  instance  at  the 
head  of  each  successful  measure.  He  had  the  rare  genius  of 
knowing  when  to  keep  silent.  Re-elected  to  the  Senate  in  1827, 
he  resigned  to  become  Governor  of  New  York  in  1828.  The 
same  year  he  was  the  most  distinguished  advocate  of  General 
Andrew  Jackson,  who,  when  elected,  made  the  New  York 
diplomat  his  Secretary  of  State.  In  1832  he  was  elected  Vice- 
President,  and  as  such  was  President  of  the  Senate.  Here  he 
astonished  his  enemies  by  displaying  imperturbable  suavity  and 
absolute  fairness,  treating  friend  and  foe  with  equal  considera- 
tion. In  1836,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  United  States. 
In  this  campaign  may  be  seen  the  best  evidence  of  his  matchless 
craft.  He  was  championed  in  the  South  as  "  a  Northern  man 
with  Southern  principles,"  while  in  the  North  he  was  heralded 
as  "the  apostle  of  progress  and  enlightenment."  in  1840,  he 
was  renominated,  but  his  star  was  now  descendant.  General  Harri- 


IDan  Buren  179 

son  being  elected  by  an  electoral  vote  of  almost  four  to  one. 
During  the  forty  years  after  his  retirement,  he  took  a  deep  inter- 
est in  public  affairs,  and  exerted  an  appreciable  influence  upon 
the  policy  of  his  party,  if  not  of  the  nation.  He  married  Hannah 
Hoes,  a  kinswoman  of  his  mother,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children. 

John  Dash,  the  merchant  [181 1],  was  graduated  from  Co- 
lumbia (1829),  became  a  lawyer,  and  afterwards  a  successful 
importer.  He  retired  from  business  when  about  forty  john  Dash, 
with  a  large  fortune,  and  led  a  life  of  study,  in  which  Financier 
he  paid  great  attention  to  political  topics,  financial  legislation, 
and  the  theories  of  taxation.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  enunci- 
ate the  modern  theories  of  currency  and  to  argue  for  a  gold 
basis  for  all  money.     Lawrence  [1783],  a  brother  of  Major 

the  President,  was  a  Kinderhook  farmer,  who,  during  Lawrence 
the  War  of  18 12,  won  distinction  as  a  soldier  and  rose  to  be 
a  major. 

In  the  seventh  generation  the  chief  personage  was  Abraham 
[1807],  son  of  the  President.  He  was  graduated  from  the  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point  (1827),  and  made  an 
enviable  record  as  a  soldier.  He  resigned  in  1837  to  become  the 
President's  secretary,  but  took  up  arms  during  the  coionei 
Mexican  War,  where  he  was  brevetted  for  bravery.  Abraham 
He  married  Angelica  Singleton  of  South  Carolina,  who  acted  as 
mistress  of  the  White  House  during  her  father-in-law's  Ad- 
ministration. 

John  [iSio],  another  son  of  the  President,  better  known  as 
"  Prince  John,"  from  his  manners  and  appearance,  was  graduated 
from  Yale  (1828),  and  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1830.    A 

^  ^ '  ^  Prince  John 

year  afterwards  he  was  attache  of  the  United  States 
Legation  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  and  Attorney-General  of 
New  York  State  in  1845.  Eminent  as  a  lawyer,  orator,  and 
politician,  he  was  also  a  society  leader  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  married  Elizabeth  Vanderpoel,  by  whom  he  had  one 
daughter. 

John  Dash,  Jr.  [1838],  was  educated  at   Harvard  and  the 


i8o  IDan  Buren 

Rensselaer  Polytechnic.  He  entered  the  Engineer  Corps  of 
johnD.  II.,  the  United  States  Navy  in  the  Civil  War,  and  served 
Engineer  jp,  ^[^^^  branch  of  the  service  until  1868.  In  1876,  he 
was  State  Engineer  and  Surveyor.  He  has  written  many  valu- 
able works  upon  mechanical  science  and  other  technical  topics. 

Robert  [1843],  son  of  John  A.,  was  graduated  from  the  Rens- 
selaer Polytechnic  (1864)  with  honors.  He  served  as  an  expert 
Robert,  mining  engineer  in  the  Lake  Superior  copper  district, 
Engineer  ^^^j  jp  ,g^^  entered  the  service  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn 
as  assistant  engineer  of  the  water  works.  In  1877,  he  became 
chief  engineer,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

The  eighth  generation  was  well  represented  by  Singleton 
[1840],  who  was  graduated  from  Columbia  Law  School  (1865) 
and  died  in  1879;  Frank  Roe,  who  was  graduated  from  Columbia 
College  (1863)  and  thereafter  received  the  degree  of  A.M. ;  Martin, 
who  was  graduated  from  Columbia  College  (1866);  and  Howard, 
who  was  graduated  from  Columbia  Law  School  in  1878  and 
settled  in  Nyack,  "N.  Y. 

The  Van  Burens,  outside  of  their  great  son,  Martin,  may  be 
compared  with  many  other  Knickerbocker  families,  being  marked 
by  the  same  probity,  thrift,  patriotism,  piety,  and  valor.  Martin 
was  a  singular  blossom  of  his  race.  He  was  one  of  the  greatest 
politicians  the  United  States  ever  produced,  and  understood  the 
difficult  art  of  managing  human  beings  so  well  that  he  may 
be  classed  with  such  historical  personages  as  Richelieu  and  Maz- 
zini,  but,  unlike  these  great  masters,  he  does  not  seem  to  have 
had  any  high  ideal  or  master  passion,  unless  it  were  the  love 
of  power  or  the  aggrandizement  of  self  To  him  more  than  to 
any  other  political  leader,  belongs  the  onus  of  having  made  the 
doctrine  of  "to  the  victors  belong  the  spoils "  an  organic  part  of 
the  American  political  system.  Careless  writers  have  charged 
it  to  General  Jackson.  It  was,  of  course,  applied  on  a  large  scale 
during  the  latter's  Administration,  but  the  real  actor  was  the 
keen-eyed  intellectual  Secretary  of  State,  and  not  the  bluff,  big- 
hearted  President.  Beneath  his  graceful  tact  there  was  much 
fun  and  sterling  humor.     His  best  bon  mot  was  that  which  tradi- 


\Dan  Buren  i8i 

tion  says  he  delivered  to  Queen  Adelaide  at  a  royal  reception 
at  the  Court  of  St.  James.  She  had  the  tactlessness  to  ask 
him  how  far  back  he  could  trace  his  ancestry.  He  bowed  with 
the  grace  of  a  courtier  as  he  responded  :  "As  far  back  as  Kin- 
derhook,  your  Majesty." 


\t)an  Cortlanbt 


183 


Pierre  J/an  Cortlandt 

From  the  painting  by  J.  IV.  Jarvis 


XXXVII 


VAN   COR.TLANDT 


^HE  sixteenth  century  was  a  period 
of  disorder  in  Europe.  Beside  the 
religious  and  dynastic  disturbances 
in  the  West,  there  were  national 
and  political  struggles  in  the  East. 
Sweden,  Russia,  Poland,  Livonia,  and 
the  smaller  principalities  were  con- 
stantly at  war  and  undergoing  the 
ravages  of  hostile  armies.  The  Duchy 
of  Courland  was  at  one  time  a  por- 
tion of  Livonia,  and  enjoyed  a  semi- 
autonomous  constitution.  In  1561,  it 
was  ceded  to  Lithuania,  and  thereafter  it  became  a  part  of  Poland 
by  the  amalgamation  of  this  kingdom  with  the  former. 

The  population  was  a  mixture  of  Letts,  Russians,  Lithuanians, 
Poles,  Germans,  and  Scandinavians.  Racially,  it  was  Slav, 
Teuton,  and  Norseman.  The  people  were  brave,  intelligent,  and 
progressive,  but  bound  by  feudal  customs  and  laws,  necessitated 
by  their  surroundings.  The  Courland  Dukes  were  on  friendly 
terms  with  the  Netherlands  and  frequently  exchanged  courtesies 
with  the  latter  land  in  times  of  both  peace  and  war.  They  had 
representatives  equivalent  to  the  consuls  of  to-day  at  the  Dutch 
capital  and  leading  cities.  These  were  either  relatives  of  the 
Ducal  family,  or  gentlemen  of  their  court.     Unlike  consuls,  they 

had  a  quasi-military  character,   corresponding  to   the   military 

185 


1 86  IDan  Cortlanbt 

attaches  of  the  present  age.  Frequently  these  representatives 
Right  Hon.  became  attached  to  the  land  to  which  they  were  ac- 
steven  credited,  and  settled  there  permanently.     One  of  this 

type  was  the  Right  Honorable  Steven  Van  Cortlandt. 

The  name  Van  Cortlandt  was  the  Dutch  equivalent  of  Cour- 
land,  referring  to  the  land  which  Steven  or  his  ancestor  represented, 
oioffthe  Steven's  oldest  son,  Oloff  Stevense,  was  brought  up 
Founder  Qg  ^  gentleman  of  the  period,  and  thoroughly  trained  in 
the  profession  of  arms.  When  a  young  man  he  had  become  so 
expert  a  soldier  that  when  he  applied  for  service  in  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company,  he  was  engaged  as  an  officer.  In  1638,  he 
was  detailed  to  accompany  Governor  William  Kieft,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  succeed  Wouter  Van  Twiller  in  the  administration  of 
the  government  of  the  New  Netherlands.  He  arrived  in  New 
Amsterdam  in  March  of  that  year,  and  in  the  following  year  was 
appointed  "commissary  of  cargoes,"  or  collector  of  customs. 
Four  years  afterwards  he  was  made  Keeper  of  the  Public  Stores, 
one  of  the  most  responsible  posts  of  that  time.  In  1648,  he  re- 
signed his  office,  became  a  freeman  of  the  city,  and  began  busi- 
ness as  a  merchant  and  brewer. 

in  both  callings  he  was  remarkably  successful,  becoming 
before  he  died  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  on  Manhattan  Island. 
His  military  knowledge  was  so  great  that  in  1849  he  was  elected 
Colonel  of  the  City  Guard,  in  1 645,  he  had  been  appointed  one  of 
the  "Eight  Men  "(or  Town  Council),  and,  in  1649,  one  of  the  "Nine 
Men."  in  1654,  he  was  made  schepen,  and  in  1655  Burgo- 
master or  Mayor.  He  remained  chief  magistrate  until  the  English 
conquest  in  1664.  His  high  abilities  soon  gained  him  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  the  English  Government,  for  which  he  acted  as 
councillor  and  advisor  up  to  his  death  in  1684.  He  married  Annetje 
Loockermanns,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons  and  five  daughters. 

The  two  sons  inherited  their  father's  civic  and  commercial 
talents.  Stephanus,  the  elder  [1643],  was  the  most  eminent  man 
Judge  of  the  province  after  it  had  become  English  territory, 

stephanus  |^g  ^^^^5  educated  by  the  learned  clergymen  of  New 
Amsterdam,  and  when  he  came  of  age  was  a  fine  scholar  and  a 


Dan  Cortlanbt  187 

capable  merchant.  From  this  time  on  until  his  death  his  career 
was  busy  and  brilliant.  Among  the  positions  he  held  were  those 
of  Judge,  Ensign  (i5o8),  Captain,  Colonel,  Mayor  (1677),  Privy 
Councillor,  Chief  Justice,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Commissioner  of  Revenue,  Deputy 
Auditor-General,  and  Deputy-Secretary  of  New  York.  The  for- 
tune which  he  inherited  he  increased  by  his  own  exertions,  and 
invested  it  in  real  estate.  In  168},  he  bought  8}, 000  acres  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Hudson,  which  in  1697  was  erected  into  the  lord- 
ship and  manor  of  Cortlandt.  He  also  purchased  great  holdings 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  on  Long  Island,  and  in  Sussex 
County,  N.  J. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  must  have  been  seized  of  more 
than  two  hundred  thousand  acres,  valued  at  over  a  million  dollars. 
Upon  the  manor  his  son  Johannes  built  a  fort  which 

Johannes 

was  converted  into  a  dwelling-house  by  Stephanus. 
The  walls  were  of  stone,  nearly  three  feet  thick,  pierced  with 
loop-holes  for  fire-arms.  It  stood  near  the  mouth  of  the  Croton 
River  and  has  been  the  centre  of  social  and  intellectual  life  from 
that  time  to  the  present  day.  It  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
founder's  descendants.  Stephanus  married  Gertrude  Schuyler,  by 
whom  he  had  fourteen  children.  Five  of  his  daughters  made 
brilliant  marriages,  and  became  the  maternal  heads  of  many  dis- 
tinguished families:  Anne  wedding  Stephen  de  Lancey;  Margaret, 
Samuel  Bayard;  Maria,  Killian  Van  Rensselaer;  Gertrude,  Henry 
Beekman,  and  Cornelia,  Colonel  John  Schuyler. 

Jacobus  [1658],  the  youngest  son  of  the  founder,  was  a  New 
York  merchant  and  man  of  affairs.  He  had  an  estate  at  Yonkers, 
which  was  continuously  held  by  his  descendants  until  jacobus  the 
1889,  when  it  was  purchased  by  the  City  of  New  York  Merchant 
for  public  purposes,  and  appropriately  named  "Van  Cortlandt 
Park."  He  was  Alderman,  Assemblyman,  and,  in  17 19,  Mayor  of 
the  City  of  New  York.  He  owned  a  large  estate  at  Bedford, 
Westchester  County,  of  which  a  portion  descended  to  John  Jay, 
who  built  upon  it  a  handsome  mansion.  Jacobus  married  Eva 
Philipse,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Frederick  [1698]. 


1 88  IPan  Cortlan&t 

Three  sons  in  the  third  generation  were  famous.  Johannes, 
oldest  son  of  Stephanus,  married  Anne  Sophia  Van  Schaack,  by 
whom  he  had  a  daughter,  Gertrude,  who  married  Philip  Ver 
Plank.  Johannes  was  a  merchant  and  landed  proprietor  and  active 
in  benevolent  work. 

Philip  [1683],  the  third  son  of  Stephanus,  was  prom.inent  in 
mercantile  and  public  life.  He  was  made  a  Councillor  of  the 
Philip  the  Province  by  Governor  Montgomerie  in  1730,  which 
Councillor  officc  he  retained  until  his  death,  in  1746.  He  was 
made  a  Commissioner  for  the  Crown  in  nearly  all  the  important 
issues  of  his  time.  His  wife  was  Catherine  de  Peyster,  by  whom 
he  had  five  sons  and  one  daughter. 

Frederick  [1698],  the  son  of  Jacobus,  was  a  man  of  great 
promise,  who  died  in  early  manhood.  According  to  the  records, 
he  was  winning,  learned,  charitable,  and  devout.  He  married 
Frances  Jay,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons. 

In  the  fourth  generation  occurred  the  American  Revolution, 
a  political  event  of  such  far-reaching  power  that  it  turned  father 
against  son  and  brother  against  brother.  Nearly  all  the  old 
families  of  the  State  were  affected,  and  among  them  the  Van 
Cortlandts. 

Stephen  [1710J,  the  oldest  of  the  family,  was  marked  by 
strong  Royalist  tendencies,  which  he  transmitted  to  his  children. 
Colonel  He  married  Mary  Walton  Ricketts,  by  whom  he  had 
Stephen  ^wo  SOUS,  Philip  and  William  Ricketts.  Of  these, 
Philip  [1739]  became  a  British  soldier,  rising  to  the  rank  of 
colonel.  He  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Jacob  Ogden,  by 
whom  he  had  twenty-three  children.  Five  of  his  sons  joined  the 
British  Army. 

Pierre  [172 1],  the  youngest  son  of  Philip,  inherited  the 
manor,  and  early  in  life  became  prominent  in  the  province.  He 
Pierre  the  served  scveu  years  in  the  Assembly,  and  while  there 
Lieutenant-  was  au  eloQueut  and  dauntless  advocate  for  the  rights 
of  his  people  against  those  of  the  Crown.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Provincial  Convention,  Council  of  Safety,  and  the 
Provincial  Congress.     When  the  province  of  New  York  organized 


Dan  Cortlanbt  189 

its  own  State  Government  in  1777,  he  was  chosen  Lieutenant- 
Governor,  and  held  that  office  for  eighteen  years.  He  could 
have  been  re-elected,  but  declined  on  the  score  of  age  and  ill- 
health.  He  presided  at  the  Convention  which  formed  the  first 
State  Constitution,  and  in  every  way  stamped  himself  upon  the 
political  and  social  events  of  the  time. 

Pierre's  course  must  have  been  difficult  and  painful.  His 
favorite  nephew,  the  head  of  the  family,  was  an  officer  in  the 
British  Army,  and  many  of  his  friends  and  relatives  were  enthusi- 
astic Royalists.  Their  influence  and  that  of  many  of  the  society 
leaders  of  the  time  were  brought  to  bear  upon  Van  Cortlandt  to 
induce  him  to  change  his  political  views.  In  1774,  Governor 
William  Tryon  went  from  New  York  to  Croton  to  call  upon  the 
"  rebel  Van  Cortlandts,"  as  they  were  then  termed,  Pierre  having 
just  been  elected  to  the  Colonial  Assembly,  and  his  son  Philip 
having  just  completed  his  professional  studies.  To  the  former 
the  Governor  offered  large  grants  of  land  and  a  probable  title; 
to  the  latter,  a  commission  as  major  in  the  royal  army.  Both 
father  and  son  refused  the  offers,  and  Tryon  returned  disap- 
pointed to  New  York. 

During  the  war  Pierre  entertained  Washington,  Franklin, 
Lafayette,  Rochambeau,  and  other  generals  at  the  Manor-house; 
when  the  place  was  threatened  by  the  British  Army  in  New  York, 
he  removed  his  wife  and  children  to  one  of  the  Livingston  farms 
at  Rhinebeck.  The  stout-hearted  commoner  was  acting-marshal 
of  the  "  Equestrian  Provincial  Congress."  This  body,  during  the 
Revolution,  was  frequently  obliged  to  change  quarters,  and  made 
the  necessary  journey  upon  horseback.  Several  times  while 
marching  they  received  dispatches  from  General  Washington  re- 
quiring official  action.  The  bugler  would  sound  halt;  they 
would  wheel  their  horses  into  a  hollow  square;  there  put 
through  legislation  in  approved  parliamentary  style,  and  an- 
nounce adjournment  by  the  bugle  call,  when  they  would 
break  into  fours  and  proceed  on  their  way.  Pierre  married 
Joanna  Livingston,  his  second  cousin,  by  whom  he  had  eight 
children. 


I  go  IPan  Cortlanbt 

The  two  sons  of  Frederick,  of  the  junior  branch,  were  Colonel 
James,  the  patriot,  and  Augustus,  the  loyalist.  Colonel  James 
Col.  James  was  a  bluff,  kind-hearted  land-owner,  who  was  as  gen- 
the  Patriot  ^jg  jn  peacc  as  he  was  terrible  in  war.  He  was  idolized 
by  the  people  of  his  district,  especially  by  the  poor,  in  whom  he 
Augustus  the  took  a  paternal  interest.  He  married  Elizabeth  Cuyler. 
Bookworm  Augustus  was  a  student  and  bookworm,  who  in  early 
manhood  became  a  clerk  of  the  Common  Council  of  New  York 
City,  and  held  that  office  for  many  years.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
Revolution  he  foresaw  the  chaotic  conditions  that  were  to  ensue, 
and  to  preserve  the  city  records  he  built,  upon  his  own  responsi- 
bility, and  at  his  own  expense,  a  great  vault,  in  his  own  garden,  of 
stone  and  brick,  laid  in  cement  so  as  to  be  water-  and  air-tight. 
To  this  he  removed  three  cart-loads  of  official  documents,  and 
kept  them  unharmed  during  the  war,  and  returned  them  in  excel- 
lent condition  after  peace  was  declared  in  1783.  Of  him  a  wit 
of  the  time  said:  "  While  other  men  were  quarrelling  about  their 
duty  to  liberty  and  to  the  King,  August  Van  Cortlandt  saw  only 
his  duty  to  his  books."  He  married  Helen  Barclay,  by  whom  he 
had  two  daughters. 

In  the  fifth  generation  two  of  the  sons  of  Lieutenant-Governor 
Pierre  rose  to  prominence:  General  Philip  [1749]  and  Pierre  II. 
[1762].  Philip  enlisted  in  the  American  Army  in  1775, 
when  he  was  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel.  The 
following  year  he  was  made  colonel,  and  for  his  brilliant  services 
during  the  Revolution  a  brigadier-general.  He  took  part  in  the 
two  decisive  battles  of  the  struggle,  Saratoga  and  Yorktown,  wit- 
nessing the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  at  the  one  and  of  Cornwallis  at 
the  other. 

His  greatest  exploit  was  the  part  he  played  in  the  Indian  cam- 
paign in  1779.  For  this  style  of  fighting,  so  different  from  that 
which  prevailed  among  civilized  people,  he  seemed  to  have  an 
especial  genius.  For  days  he  could  remain  with  scarcely  any 
sleep  or  food.  He  was  a  wonderful  shot,  and  possessed  a  singular 
knowledge  of  woodcraft.  He  either  knew  or  divined  Indian 
strategy,  and  before  he  had  been  in  the  Indian  territory  thirty  days 


\Dan  Cortlan^t  191 

was  called  by  the  redskins  "  The  Great  White  Devil."  Strangely 
enough,  among  the  Indians  he  fought  and  routed  were  levies 
which  had  been  brought  from  the  far  West  by  his  cousin,  Colonel 
De  Peyster.  Upon  the  return  of  peace  he  went  into  public  life, 
and  was  successively  Assemblyman,  Senator,  and  Congressman 
from  Westchester,  holding  the  last  office  from  179}  to  1809.  He 
never  married. 

Pierre,  his  brother,  was  graduated  at  Rutgers  in  1783,  studied 
law  with  Alexander  Hamilton,  but  relinquished  practice  to  attend 
to  public  affairs  and  the  management  of  his  property.  Major-cen. 
He  was  Congressman,   1811-1812;   Major-General  of  P'«"« 

militia,  a  Presidential  elector  for  Jefferson  in  1800,  and  for  William 
Henry  Harrison  in  1840.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in  local  matters, 
and  for  fifteen  years  was  President  of  the  Westchester  County 
Bank.  He  was  strenuous  in  developing  trade  and  manufactures  in 
that  county,  and  used  his  influence  and  wealth  to  favor  that  end. 
He  married,  first,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Governor  George  Clinton, 
and,  second,  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Stevenson,  by  whom  he  had 
one  child,  Pierre. 

Colonel  Pierre  [18 15],  the  head  of  the  family  in  the  sixth  gen- 
eration, was  a  landed  proprietor,  a  society  leader,  gifted  with  a 
splendid  physique.     During  his  long  life  of  seventy 

1  ^ii  •  ,  •      T^  r      .  Col.  Pierre 

years  he  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  West- 
chester and  Dutchess  counties.  He  administered  the  Manor- 
house  according  to  its  traditions,  and  entertained  nearly  all  the 
leading  people  of  the  county  within  its  portals.  He  married 
Catharine,  daughter  of  Dr.  Theodoric  Romeyn  Beck,  the  founder 
of  Medical  Jurisprudence.  The  issue  of  this  happy  union  com- 
prised Catharine  Teresa  Romeyn,  who  married  the  Rev.  John 
Rutherford  Mathews;  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  who  died  1879; 
Romeyn  Beck,  who  died  1843;  Captain  James  Stevenson;  Theo- 
doric Romeyn,  who  died  in  1880;  Ann  Stevenson,  and  Philip,  who 
died  1858. 

Captain  James  Stevenson  [1843],  the  head  of  captain 
the  seventh  generation,  inherited  the  patriotic  character  J*"^^  s. 
of  his  ancestors.     At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  though 


192  IDan  Cortlanbt 

but  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  volunteered,  and  served  brilliantly 
through  the  entire  conflict.  He  became  aide-de-camp  to  General 
Corcoran,  and  afterwards  served  in  the  Nev/  York  One  Hundred 
and  Fifty-fifth,  and  lastly  in  the  "New  York  Tvv'enty-second  Cavalry. 
He  was  with  the  last-named  body  during  Sheridan's  historical 
campaign.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  in 
1885,  upon  the  death  of  his  father,  Colonel  Pierre. 

Catharine  T.  R.  Van  Cortlandt  Mathews,  who  now  occupies 
the  Manor  ferry-house,  which  is  converted  into  a  handsome 
home  not  far  from  the  Manor-house,  is  an  historical  and  gen- 
ealogical student  of  note,  and  has  contributed  largely,  as  did 
her  mother,  to  the  biographical  literature  of  the  State.  She  has 
preserved  many  relics  of  the  race,  some  of  which  run  back  to 
Oloff,  the  founder  in  America. 

The  Van  Cortlandt  family  belongs  to  a  rare  type.  From  its 
foundation  in  the  New  Netherlands,  it  has  owned  great  holdings 
of  real  estate  and  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  wealth,  education, 
and  social  prestige.  None  of  Its  members  have  entered  trade, 
and  but  a  few  have  been  merchants  or  professional  men.  They 
have  produced  many  men  of  public  affairs,  of  whom  a  majority 
have  been  statesmen  of  rare  ability.  Their  lives  have  been  de- 
voted to  the  management  of  estates,  and  to  the  performance  of 
their  duties  as  parents,  citizens,  and  Christians.  From  the  time 
of  Oloff  down,  they  have  brought  to  the  New  World  the  finest 
products  of  European  art,  paintings,  miniatures,  jewels,  tapestries, 
elegant  furniture,  marvellous  products  of  the  loom,  beautiful  ap- 
parel, fine  books,  the  choicest  glass,  porcelain,  and  household 
decorations.  These  have  served  as  object-lessons  to  a  commu- 
nity, whose  growing  wealth  required  some  directing  influence  to 
confine  it  to  the  channels  of  good  taste,  and  prevented  its  de- 
parture into  those  of  vulgar  luxury  and  ostentatious  display. 
With  the  material  side  of  art  has  gone  the  spiritual  side.  They 
have  cultivated  noble  literature,  the  best  music,  the  finest  man- 
ners, and  the  broadest  religious  thought.  These  admirable  fea- 
tures of  modern  life  can  only  be  brought  into  a  new  community 
by  those  who  have  wealth  and  wisdom.     In  this  respect,  the 


IDan  Cortlanbt  193 

Van  Cortlandts  hold  a  high  place  in  the  annals  of  the  Empire 
State.  While  they  may  not  have  impressed  themselves  upon 
political  life  or  high  finance  as  other  families  have  done,  they 
certainly  stand  first  in  fostering  the  development  of  the  civic  and 
aesthetic  side  of  "New  York  life. 


VOL.   II.— 13. 


Dan  Cott 


195 


XXXVIII 
VAN    COTT 


'MONG  the  early  settlers  of  New  Am- 
sterdam was  Claes  Cornelise  Van 
Cott,  who  came  to  the  New  Nether- 
lands in  i6s2.  He  belonged  to  North- 
ern Holland,  the  name  being  taken 
from  the  village  of  Cott  or  Catt,  both 
forms  being  employed  by  the  family, 
one  branch  of  which  has  contracted 
it  to  Catt.  Here  for  many  genera- 
tions it  had  prospered,  supplying 
numerous  sons  to  the  Dutch  navies 
and  armies.  In  the  blood  ran  a  strong 
love  for  adventure  which,  added  to  a  superb  physique,  made  them 
famous  in  that  part  of  the  country.  Their  maritime  and  martial 
prowess  was  theirs  by  descent,  as  the  family  originally  had  come 
from  Scandinavia,  where  it  had  made  its  record  among  the  fierce 
Vikings  of  the  early  centuries. 

The  old  Dutch  records  give  the  names  of  many  Van  Cotts 
in  the  rosters  of  its  navies  and  armies,  but  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries  the  only  reference  that  has 
been  found  indicates  that  they  were  among  the  brave  men  that 
fought  the  Spanish  rule,  and  that  they  gave  many  of  their  sons 
upon  the  altars  of  religious  and  political  liberty. 

Claes  crossed  the  ocean  to  New  Amsterdam  in  1652.  He  was 
a  young  man  with  but  little  money,  his  family  having  lost  largely 


107 


1 98  Dan  Cott 

in  the  wars  which  preceded  that  time.  He  staid  a  few  years  on 
Manhattan  Island  and  then  crossed  the  East  River  to  the  village 
of  Brooklyn  and  took  up  a  large  farm,  which  he  worked,  with 
more  or  less  profit,  until  about  1680.  Allured  by  convenience  of 
access  to  New  York,  he  removed  to  Bushwick,  which  he  made 
his  final  residence  and  where  he  died  about  1692. 

In  the  second  generation,  Cornelius,  Jr.,  was  the  chief  figure. 
After  coming  of  age,  he  removed  to  Flushing,  where  he  founded 
the  Queens  County  branch  of  his  race.  His  wife  was  Antie 
Sprung,  a  wealthy  Dutch  belle,  who  brought  him  an  estate  that, 
added  to  his  own,  made  him  a  wealthy  man.  His  brother  Jan 
remained  upon  the  paternal  homestead  and  led  the  life  of  an 
industrious  and  thrifty  farmer. 

In  the  third  generation,  Cornelius  of  Flushing  was  notable 
for  his  public  spirit  and  enterprise.  He  was  active  in  road  build- 
ing and  the  development  of  local  commerce.  He  perceived  the 
future  importance  of  Long  Island  Sound  as  a  mercantile  highway, 
and  either  owned  or  was  interested  in  a  number  of  sloops  whose 
home  port  was  Flushing,  and  which  traded  with  New  York,  Con- 
necticut, and  the  eastern  end  of  Long  Island.  Many  offices  of 
honor  were  held  by  him  both  in  civil  and  ecclesiastical  matters. 
He  was  a  devout  churchman  and  was  famous  for  his  charity  and 
generous  hospitality, 

David  [1720],  of  the  fourth  generation,  bore  a  substantial  re- 
semblance to  his  distinguished  uncle  Cornelius.  He  was  a  farmer, 
trader,  and  public-spirited  citizen.  During  the  Revolution,  he 
rendered  many  services  to  the  Colonial  armies  and  was  one  of 
the  sturdy  Dutch  burghers  who  went  down  to  defeat  in  the 
Battle  of  Long  Island.  The  war  destroyed  his  property,  and 
the  privations  he  endured  broke  down  his  constitution.  He  died 
a  few  years  after  the  conclusion  of  peace.  His  wife  was 
Nellie  Praa. 

In  the  fifth  generation,  Cornelius  was  a  busy  and  progres- 
sive agriculturist,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  local  and  national 
affairs.  He  was  also  a  revolutionist,  like  his  father,  and  was 
wounded  by  the  British  during  the  campaign  of  Long  Island. 


Dan  Cott  199 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Brooklyn,  where  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  popular  in  church 
circles,  and  his  daughter  Cornelia  was  the  belle  of  Brooklyn  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  She  married  John  De- 
bevoise,  the  head  of  the  Debevoise  family. 

Gabriel  [1780]  was  the  chief  member  of  the  sixth  generation. 
He  received  an  excellent  education  and  on  reaching  manhood's 
estate  he  gave  up  farming  and  went  to  Manhattan,  where  he 
entered  commercial  life.  He  was  an  excellent  business  man  and 
built  up  a  large  trade  and  handsome  fortune.  He  established 
business  connections  with  different  places  in  this  country.  Nova 
Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and  Great  Britain.  A  man  of  the  highest 
honor  himself,  he  gave  almost  unlimited  credit  to  those  with 
whom  he  was  on  friendly  business  relations.  This  worked  very 
well  in  peace,  but  proved  ruinous  in  time  of  war.  The  breaking 
out  of  the  conflict  with  Great  Britain  in  18 12  taught  him  the 
stern  lesson  that  private  rights  and  obligations  have  little  or  no 
meaning  when  nations  are  engaged  in  fierce  combat.  What  with 
the  blockade  and  embargo,  the  refusal  of  correspondents  to 
honor  drafts  or  pay  just  debts,  he  saw  his  business  destroyed  and 
his  fortune  swept  away.  The  worry  and  strain  proved  too  much 
for  him,  and,  with  the  little  money  he  had  remaining,  he  removed 
to  Smithtown,  Long  Island,  and  there  started  a  new  career. 
There  is  something  pathetic  in  his  sense  of  duty.  He  labored 
long  and  well  with  only  one  ambition,  and  that  was  to  pay  off  his 
own  debts  which  had  been  contracted  during,  and  prior  to,  1812. 
With  remarkable  resolution,  he  toiled  until  this  was  accomplished, 
and  thereafter  accumulated  enough  to  leave  fortunes  to  his  chil- 
dren, if  credit  is  to  be  bestowed  upon  the  Revolutionary  Van 
Cotts,  much  more  belongs  to  this  stern,  upright  man,  who  con- 
secrated his  life  to  the  performance  of  what  he  regarded  as  a 
duty.  Gabriel  was  twice  married,  the  sons  by  his  first  wife 
being  Richard  [1805],  Joshua  [1815],  and  Cornelius,  and  by  his 
second  wife,  Thomas  and  Gabriel.  All  of  these  reached  manhood's 
estate,  married,  and  had  issue.  Richard,  the  oldest,  was  a 
New  York  merchant  who  was  prominent  in  the  first  half  of  the 


200  IDan  Cott 

nineteenth  century.  His  wife  was  Caroline  Case,  by  whom  he 
had  four  children. 

The  leader  of  the  generation  was  the  Hon.  Joshua  M.,  who 
was  educated  in  New  York,  and  at  Yale,  and  after  graduation  from 
that  University  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  made  a  specialty  of 
Admiralty  cases,  in  this  important  branch  of  the  law,  he  became 
one  of  the  great  masters  and  was  retained  in  many  of  the  most  im- 
portant litigations  of  his  time.  Though  a  man  of  great  public  spirit 
and  a  polished  speaker,  he  cared  little  for  office  and  refused  many 
nominations  and  positions  that  were  tendered  to  him  by  the  polit- 
ical leaders  of  the  State.  The  only  exceptions  he  made  to  this 
rule  were  when  he  accepted  the  position  of  Corporation  Counsel 
of  Brooklyn,  and  again  in  1868,  when  he  was  a  Delegate-at-large 
to  the  Constitutional  Convention.  Up  to  his  death,  in  1896,  he 
was  a  leader  of  the  New  York  bar. 

The  eighth  generation  produced  many  men  of  distinction. 
Of  the  main  line,  the  leader  was  Hon.  Cornelius  [1838],  at  this 
writing  Postmaster  of  New  York.  He  was  educated  in  the  city 
schools  and  in  early  life  took  up  the  insurance  business,  where  he 
rose  quickly  and  became  Vice-president  of  the  /^tna  Insurance 
Company.  From  1859,  when  he  came  of  age,  he  took  an  active 
part  in  public  affairs,  in  1873,  he  was  made  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Fire  Commissioners,  serving  from  1873  to  1875,  and  from 
1879  to  1885;  a  larger  part  of  the  period  being  President  of  the 
Board.  His  administration  should  be  long  remembered  by  the 
many  valuable  reforms  which  he  introduced;  so  progressive  were 
his  ideas  that  they  aroused  the  antagonism  of  grasping  property- 
owners  and  ultra-conservative  citizens.  His  design  of  compelling 
the  owners  of  all  large  buildings  to  use  improved  and  convenient 
fire-escapes  was  emasculated  by  the  politicians  to  the  present 
unworthy  system.  He  advocated  larger  and  more  numerous  exits 
to  the  large  stores,  theatres,  and  churches,  so  as  to  prevent  the 
blocking  of  people  in  a  crisis  or  panic,  which  is  usually  produced 
by  the  outbreak  of  a  conflagration,  and  insisted  upon  the  prohibition 
of  the  ancient  practice  of  having  church  and  other  doors  which 
opened  inward  and  were  fastened  during  the  hours  of  service. 


Dan  Cott  201 

Nearly  all  of  his  propositions  were  adopted  in  the  course  of  time 
and  many  of  the  new  reforms  of  to-day  are  restatements  of  his 
suggestions  made  twenty-tive  years  ago. 

To  him  belongs  the  credit  of  having  called  attention  to  the 
danger  of  tire,  lightning-stroke  and  accident  from  non-insulated  or 
poorly  insulated  electric  wires,  and  the  peril  as  well  as  unsightli- 
ness  of  large  telegraph  poles  in  the  great  city.  Within  ten  years 
after  he  officially  called  attention  to  these  facts,  the  poles  were 
removed,  the  wires  buried  and  insulated  so  thoroughly  that  the 
conditions  as  to  which  he  gave  the  alarm  ceased  to  exist.  In  1887, 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  where  he  made  an  enviable 
record.  In  1889,  he  became  Postmaster  of  New  York.  He  served 
his  term  and  was  reappointed  to  the  position,  which  he  still  holds. 
He  married  Fanny  Thompson,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

Dr.  Joshua  Marsden  [1861]  was  educated  at  the  Brooklyn 
Polytechnic  Institute  and  the  Long  Island  College  Hospital, 
being  graduated  from  the  latter  institution  in  1885,  and  receiving 
the  position  of  interne  upon  graduation,  in  1886,  he  was  ap- 
pointed adjunct  to  the  chair  of  histology  and  pathologic  anatomy. 
in  1888  he  went  to  Europe  and  studied  under  Professor  Koch  in 
bacteriology,  and  Professor  Rudolph  Virchow  in  general  pathol- 
ogy. Upon  finishing  his  studies,  he  visited  all  the  important 
medical  laboratories  in  Germany  and  Austria,  the  Pasteur  histitute 
in  Paris,  and  the  Medical  Institute  of  London. 

In  1 89 1,  he  was  appointed  to  the  chair  of  pathology  at  the 
Long  Island  College  Hospital.  Many  distinguished  medical  and 
scientific  societies  claim  him  as  a  member,  and  in  several  he  is  an 
officer  and  leader. 

Alexander  H.  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  New  York  bar, 
and  resides  in  Brooklyn.  He  is  conspicuous  in  political  and 
social  circles  and  has  served  as  Assistant  District  Attorney  of 
King's  County. 

David  H.,  another  brother,  was  a  lawyer,  litterateur,  and  a 
poet.  He  contributed  freely  to  the  press  and  had  begun  to  make 
a  name  in  the  world  of  letters,  when  he  was  suddenly  stricken  by 
death.     Other  members  of  this  generation  were  Thomas  [1834], 


202  lt)an  Cott 

Wickfield  [1840],  and  Gabriel  [1844],  all  of  whom  married  and 
had  issue. 

in  the  ninth  generation  Richard  [1864],  son  of  the  Hon.  Cor- 
nelius, took  an  active  part  in  New  York  life.  In  1897,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Assembly,  where  he  displayed  rare  ability  and 
fidelity  to  duty.  He  married  May  Richardson,  by  whom  he  had 
issue. 

Another  member  of  this  generation  was  Lincoln,  who  was 
graduated  from  Columbia  in  1884  and  entered  the  railway  calling. 
He  rose  to  be  travelling  auditor  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad. 

The  Van  Cotts  have  been  typical  Knickerbockers  of  the  dem- 
ocratic type.  From  the  first,  they  have  been  opposed  to  privilege 
and  in  favor  of  liberty,  and  home  rule.  The  first  of  the  race  in 
the  New  World,  Claes  Cornelise,  was  opposed  to  doughty  Gov- 
ernor Stuyvesant  and  on  the  side  of  the  patroons  and  merchants. 
In  the  Revolution  the  race  was  for  the  colonies  and  against  the 
Crown.  In  1812,  they  were  on  the  side  of  the  Republic,  and  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War  the  Hon.  Joshua  was  one  of  the  great  leaders 
of  the  Union  Republican  organization.  In  their  politics  they  have 
been  nearly  always  identified  with  the  more  progressive  of  the 
parties,  but  within  their  own  organization  they  have  been  allied 
rather  to  the  conservative  than  the  radical  elements.  Their  motto 
has  been  progress,  but  never  haste.  They  have  manifested  a  sound 
mind  in  a  sound  body,  and  in  law,  medicine,  politics,  official  life, 
agriculture,  science,  and  commerce,  have  made  their  mark  by  patient 
energy  and  indomitable  will  power.  The  family  has  grown  with 
the  years,  and  is  now  well  distributed  in  New  York  State,  with 
branches  in  four  other  commonwealths.  Though  of  Dutch  an- 
cestry, they  are  Americans  of  the  most  pronounced  type. 


Danberbilt 


203 


-T^TTA:V7y  ,,  ,     y    ...      .. 


Cornelius  l^andcrbilt 

From  a  steel  engraving 


\    \> 


v 


XXXIX 


VANDERBILT 


'HALF-CENTURY  ago  the  railways  of 
the  United  States  were  in  the  same 
condition  as  the  coral  polyp.  They 
were  a  congeries  of  separate  units  — 
alive,  but  uncontrolled  and  unorgan- 
ized. To-day  they  may  be  com- 
pared to  a  highly  developed  mammal, 
so  thoroughly  correlated  that  each 
fibre  of  its  being  is  in  touch  and 
sympathy  with  all  the  rest.  This 
change  from  what  Herbert  Spencer 
would  call  heterogeneity  to  homo- 
geneity was,  of  course,  unavoidable,  and  would  have  come  about 
in  due  season,  no  matter  who  the  men  or  what  the  forces  that 
might  have  been  involved  in  the  operation.  Had  the  metamor- 
phosis been  slow,  the  country  would  be  now  in  the  same  state 
as  it  was  in  1875.  The  difference  between  existing  conditions 
and  those  of  a  quarter-century  ago  are  due  to  the  swiftness  of 
the  transformation.  In  this  evolution  one  man,  Cornelius  Van- 
derbilt,  stands  out  above  the  rest  like  a  giant  in  an  ancient  army 
of  foot-soldiers. 

The  Vanderbilts  are  of  Dutch  origin.  The  first  of  the  race  in 
this  country  was  Jan  Aertsen  Van-der-bilt,  a  Holland  farmer,  who 
came  to  the  New  World  in  the  first  half  of  the  seventeenth 

century,  and  who  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Brooklyn  about 

205 


2o6  IDanberMlt 

1650.  As  the  name  indicates,  the  family  belonged  originally  to 
either  the  village  of  Bilt,  a  suburb  of  Utrecht,  or  the  parish  of  Bilt 
in  Frisia.  Family  names  in  old  Holland  were  very  different  from 
those  of  the  present  time.  The  true  patronymic  of  a  man  was 
the  father's  Christian  name,  with  "sen"  or  "son"  added  to  it. 
The  name  of  the  place  to  which  the  father  belonged  or  the  call- 
ing which  he  practised  was  descriptive  or  incidental,  and  not 
appellative. 

In  the  second  generation  the  family  divided,  one  of  the  sons 
removing  from  Brooklyn  to  New  Dorp,  Staten  Island,  in  1715. 
There  was  at  that  time  a  movement  of  population  from  Long 
Island  to  Staten  Island,  which  is  shown  very  clearly  by  the  same 
family  names  appearing  in  the  records  of  the  two  counties.  The 
separation  of  the  Vanderbilts  was  soon  attended  by  religious  dif- 
ferences, the  New  Dorp  branch  being  converted  to  the  Moravian 
Church.  In  this,  the  eighteenth  century,  both  branches  in- 
creased in  numbers  and  prosperity.  They  were  successful  farm- 
ers and  pursued  industrious  and  godly  lives.  Their  names  are 
found  in  the  old  church  records,  and  at  times  in  the  civil  lists  of 
the  period.  Here  belong  John  and  Jeremiah  Vanderbilt,  stalwart 
members  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

In  the  fourth  generation  of  the  Moravian  branch  the  leading 
„     ,.  member  was  Cornelius  Vanderbilt.     Like  his  forbears, 

Cornelius,  ' 

Father  of  the  he  was  a  farmer,  tilling  a  large  amount  of  land  on 
the  northeast  side  of  Staten  Island.  His  chief  farm 
was  near  the  Quarantine  ground,  and  as  early  as  1780  he  had 
established  a  ferry  to  New  York.  He  started  it  in  order  to  carry 
his  own  produce  to  the  city  markets.  By  degrees  he  built  up  a 
good  business  in  carrying  freight  for  his  neighbors,  and  at  last 
made  it  a  daily  enterprise,  his  stout  sloop  leaving  his  wharf  in 
the  morning  and  returning  from  the  city  early  in  the  evening. 
Among  his  quiet  neighbors  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  prodigy  of 
ability  and  wealth.  Before  middle  age  he  had  acquired  a  compe- 
tence, and  when  he  died  he  left  what  was  regarded  as  a  fortune. 
He  was  blessed  with  a  wife  of  remarkable  wisdom  and  thrift. 
She  took  charge  of  the  dairy,  and  probably  the  garden,  and  con- 


William  H.  Vanderbilt 

From  a  steel  engraving 


\Dan5erbUt  207 

ducted  business  on  her  own  account.  She  invested  her  profits 
wisely,  and  when  she  died,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven,  she  left 
$50,000.  From  her  youth,  tradition  says,  she  was  a  leader  of 
Staten  Island  society.  According  to  the  records  of  the  time,  she 
attended  all  the  weddings,  christenings,  funerals,  and  other  func- 
tions, and  is  everywhere  alluded  to  as  "  kindly,  generous,  loving, 
and  extremely  wise." 

The  characteristics  of  both  husband  and  wife  were  trans- 
mitted to  their  son  Cornelius,  better  known  as  "The  Com- 
modore." Born  in  1794,  he  was  the  oldest  of  a  family  comeiius 
of  nine  children.  He  was  endowed  with  a  superb  thecom- 
physique,  and  from  his  boyhood  was  a  champion  in  "" 

all  out-door  sports.  He  had  an  aversion  to  school  and  to  books, 
and  a  hearty  love  for  farming,  sailing,  driving,  and  travel.  His 
dislike  of  study  was  doubtless  due  to  the  school  system  in  New 
Dorp,  which  was  of  the  most  conservative  and  repressive  nature. 
The  children  were  obliged  to  sit  erect  and  silent  upon  uncom- 
fortable wooden  seats,  and  were  punished  rigorously  for  the 
slightest  infraction  of  the  rules.  For  a  boy  of  superabundant 
health  and  strength,  the  schoolroom  must  have  been  a  purgatory. 
At  ten,  the  youth  began  to  aid  his  father,  and  at  twelve  was  a 
valued  assistant.  Before  he  was  sixteen,  he  desired  to  go  into 
business  on  his  own  account,  and  to  become  a  boatman.  Even 
here  his  common  sense  manifested  itself.  There  were  many 
watermen  at  the  time,  and  he  noticed  that  those  who  had  the 
handsomest  craft  did  the  best  business.  He  therefore  applied  to 
his  mother  for  the  loan  of  a  hundred  dollars  with  which  to  get 
the  finest  boat  that  he  could  secure.  He  made  this  request  on 
the  first  day  of  May,  1810,  twenty-six  days  before  his  birthday. 
His  mother  replied:  "  If  by  your  birthday  you  plough,  harrow, 
and  plant  with  corn  that  lot  (one  of  eight  acres)  1  will  advance 
you  the  money." 

It  was  seemingly  an  impossible  job,  but  the  boy  was  equal 
to  the  emergency.  He  called  together  all  his  juvenile  friends, 
told  them  of  the  conditions  of  the  task,  and  agreed  that  if  they 
would  help  him  he  would  give  them  sailing  excursions  in  return. 


2o8  IDanberblU 

The  youngsters  were  only  too  glad  to  accept  the  offer.  They 
turned  to,  and  for  a  fortnight  that  field  was  an  ant-hill  of  boyish 
activity,  every  one  working,  and  young  Vanderbilt  easily  excel- 
ling all  his  companions.  Not  only  was  the  work  done,  but  in 
addition  the  boys  removed  every  stone  from  the  soil,  and  with 
them  built  a  wall  which  is  said  to  have  increased  the  value  of 
the  property  by  $200.  Young  Cornelius  got  his  boat,  and  the 
boys  had  their  excursions.  His  success  was  immediate.  He  was 
soon  the  most  popular  boatman  in  the  harbor,  and  that  summer 
cleared  $1000.  In  the  spring  of  1814,  he  obtained  a  contract  from 
the  Government  for  the  transportation  by  water  of  supplies  to 
the  nine  military  posts  around  the  city.  The  work  was  so  severe 
that  at  times  he  was  on  his  feet  twenty-four  and  thirty-six  hours 
consecutively,  but  he  carried  it  through  without  a  complaint,  and 
made  enough  money  to  build  in  the  fall  a  fine  schooner,  and  the 
following  year,  with  his  brother-in-law,  a  still  larger  and  swifter 
craft. 

His  success  emboldened  him  to  larger  efforts,  so  that  in  1818 
he  was  the  owner  of  three  vessels,  a  comfortable  home,  and 
$9000.  He  astonished  his  friends  at  this  point  by  giving  up  his 
former  business  and  becoming  the  captain  of  a  steamboat.  There 
was  a  bitter  prejudice  against  steam  at  the  time,  and  the  wise- 
acres of  the  day  regarded  his  move  as  the  height  of  folly,  but  he, 
with  extraordinary  foresight,  saw  the  magnificent  future  of  the 
new  system  of  navigation,  and  went  into  it  with  characteristic 
energy.  For  twelve  years  he  retained  his  position  and  inci- 
dentally conducted  a  hotel  at  New  Brunswick,  the  terminus  of 
his  steamboat  route.  By  the  time  he  was  forty  years  old  his 
fortune  was  estimated  at  $500,000.  When  the  gold  excitement 
broke  out  in  California,  he  established  a  passenger  line  to  the 
Pacific  via  Nicaragua.  This  with  his  other  enterprises  netted  for 
him  $10,000,000  in  the  course  of  eleven  years.  In  the  meantime, 
he  had  anticipated  the  importance  of  the  great  trunk  lines  run- 
ning into  New  York,  although  it  may  be  questioned  if  he  con- 
templated their  unification.  He  bought  New  York  and  New 
Haven  stock  in  1844  by  disposing  of  the  Sound  Steamboats  he 


» 


The  Obelisk  in  Central  Park 

Brought  from  Egypt  liy  Win.  H.  Vaiukibilt 


IDan&erbllt  209 

then  owned,  and  in  1863  he  purchased  a  large  part  of  the  shares 
of  the  New  York  and  Harlem  Railroad,  and  began  acquiring 
Hudson  River  shares.  His  next  move  was  to  consolidate  the 
Hudson  River  and  Harlem  Railroads.  In  1867,  he  was  elected 
president  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad.  Into  this  road  he 
introduced  the  reforms  which  he  had  applied  with  so  much  suc- 
cess to  the  other  two  lines.  The  year  1869  saw  him  consolidate 
the  two  companies,  and  also  secure  a  controlling  interest  in 
several  small  roads.  He  died  in  1877,  leaving  a  fortune  estimated 
at  $100,000,000.  He  was  a  man  of  great  generosity,  but  never 
allowed  his  name  to  appear  in  connection  with  giving.  The 
chief  exception  to  this  rule  was  his  gift  of  a  million  dollars  where- 
with to  establish  Vanderbilt  University  in  Tennessee.  He  was 
twice  married:  to  Sophia  Johnson  in  181 },  and  to  Frances  Craw- 
ford in  1869.  There  were  twelve  children  by  the  first  union,  but 
none  by  the  second. 

Of  the  daughters,  Phebe  [1815]  married  James  M.  Cross; 
Ethelinda  [1818],  Daniel  B.  Allen;  Emily  [1823],  William  K. 
Thorn;  Eliza  [1828],  George  Osgood;  Sophia  [1830],  Daniel 
Torrance;  Maria  Alecia  [1831],  N.  La  Bau;  Catherine  [1834],  first, 
Smith  Parker,  and  afterwards,  Gustave  Lafitte  ;  Marie  Louise 
[1835],  first,  Horace  Clark,  and  second,  Robert  Niven. 

Of  the  three  sons,  only  one  married  and  had  issue.  This  was 
William  Henry  [182 1].  He  began  commercial  life  at  the  age  of 
seventeen,  and  attracted  notice  in  the  business  world  by  wiuiam 
his  singular  success  in  the  management  of  the  Staten  "^°^ 

Island  Railroad,  of  which  he  was  made  receiver  by  the  court. 
This  may  be  regarded  as  his  education  in  railroad  finance.  His 
next  step  forward  was  when  he  was  chosen  vice-president  of 
the  Harlem  and  Hudson  River  Roads  in  1864,  and  thereafter  of 
the  New  York  Central.  His  management  of  these  corporations 
was  marked  by  tact  and  wisdom.  He  secured  control  of  the 
Canada  Southern  and  the  Michigan  Central  Roads.  Between 
1877  and  1880  he  obtained  control  of  the  Chicago  and  Northwest- 
ern, and  of  the  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Cincinnati,  and  Indianapo- 
lis Railroads.    The  year   1879  witnessed  the  formation  of  the 


2IO 


IPanberWIt 


largest  railroad  syndicate  which  had  yet  been  organized.  To  it 
he  sold  250,000  shares  of  his  New  York  Central  stock.  He  died 
in  1885.  He  increased  the  wealth  of  Vanderbilt  University  by 
nearly  $400,000;  he  gave  to  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons (Columbia)  a  new  building,  costing  $500,000;  he  paid  the 
expenses  ($103,000)  incurred  in  removing  the  obelisk  from  Egypt 
to  Central  Park,  and  distributed  large  amounts  of  money  among 
many  charities  and  church  works.  His  wife  was  Maria  Louise 
Kissam,  whom  he  married  in  1840,  and  by  whom  he  had  eight 
children. 

Of  the  daughters  of  William  Henry,  Margaret  Louisa  married 
Elliot  F.  Shepard;  Emily,  William  D.  Sloane;  Florence  Adele,  H. 
McKay  Twombly;  and  Eliza  Osgood,  W.  Seward  Webb.  Of  the 
four  sons,  Cornelius  [1843]  married  Alice  Gwynne;  William  Kis- 
sam [1849],  Alva  Smith;  Frederick  W.  [1858],  Mrs.  Alfred  Tor- 
rance; George  [1864],  Edith  Stuyvesant  Dresser. 

All  of  the  male  members  of  this  generation  have  been  active 

in  New  York  society  and  commerce.     Cornelius,  the  oldest,  was 

carefully  trained  for  business  by  his  father.     He  was 

Cornelius  III. 

placed  in  the  offices  of  the  New  York  Central,  and  rose 
from  clerk  to  be  president.  His  life  was  exceedingly  busy;  he 
was  a  director  in  thirty-four  railways,  and  a  trustee  of  many  in- 
stitutions. He  was  a  generous  contributor  to  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  and  to  numerous  charities  and  philanthropies. 

The  other  three  sons  are  prominent  in  railway  affairs.  Two 
tributes  from  this  generation  to  their  father  deserve  mention:  one, 
the  Vanderbilt  Clinic,  which  was  presented  by  the  four  sons  to 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  and  the  other,  the  Sloane 
Maternity  Hospital,  presented  to  the  same  college  by  Emily,  the 
wife  of  William  D.  Sloane. 

In  the  next,  or  present  generation  the  great-grandchildren  of 
the  Commodore  are:  Cornelius  [1873],  who  married  Grace  Wil- 
son;    Gertrude    [1876],   who    married   Henry  Payne 

Cornelius  IV.  L       /    J>  .     ,    „,    . 

Whitney;  Alfred  Gwynne  [1877],  who  married  Elsie 
French;  Reginald  [1880];  Gladys  [1885]— these  being  the  children 
of  Cornelius;  Consuelo  [1877],  who  married  the  Duke  of  Marl- 


DanberWIt  211 

borough;  William  K.  [1880],  who  married  Virginia  Fair;  and 
Harold  [1882]  —  the  three  being  the  children  of  William  Kissam. 
Of  this  group,  Cornelius  has  displayed  high  talent  as  a  physicist, 
mechanical  engineer,  and  inventor.  The  fact  is  notable,  because 
he  seems  to  be  the  first  in  ten  generations  to  manifest  this  type 
of  mentality. 

Among  the  descendants  of  the  Commodore  who  through 
marriage  bear  other  names  may  be  mentioned  members  of  the 
families  of  Horton,  Wilmerding,  Wallace,  Schieffelin,  Morris, 
Fabbri,  Burden,  Thorn,  King,  Baring,  Parrish,  Post,  Kissell,  An- 
thony, Hadden,  Dyer,  Blois,  Aymar,  Barker,  Collins,  and 
Souberbille. 

The  Vanderbilt  record  represents  the  triumph  of  constructive 
over  destructive  finance.  The  great  head,  the  Commodore,  had 
from  his  Dutch  ancestry  all  the  slow  and  conservative  qualities 
which  are  needful  in  the  world  of  moneyed  affairs.  To  this  he 
added  an  ambition,  will-power,  and  force  which  were  monu- 
mental. The  larger  part  of  his  life  was  a  fierce  battle  against  rival 
capitalists,  many  of  whom  lived  by  the  death  of  others.  This 
was  true  in  the  world  of  shipping,  and  especially  true  in  the 
railway  sphere.  His  chief  competitors  were  men  who  will  go 
down  in  history  as  "wreckers."  They  owned  railroads,  not  for 
the  benefit  of  the  stockholders,  but  of  themselves.  They  used 
their  position  to  control  the  stock  market,  and,  after  fleecing 
every  person  possible,  they  usually  wound  up  by  destroying  the 
properties  they  were  supposed  to  protect,  and  out  of  the  ruins 
carving  additional  fortunes.  The  history  of  American  railways 
for  many  years  was  the  story  of  misappropriation  and  malappro- 
priation.  It  is  painted  in  the  darkest  colors,  and  to  few  of  the 
figures  which  occupy  its  scenes  can  the  historian  look  with  pride 
or  sympathy.  Against  this  motley  crew  the  old  Commodore 
stands  out  in  magnificent  relief.  In  his  rugged  Dutch  heart  he 
knew  that  honesty  paid  in  the  long  run,  and  that  the  greatest 
reward  came  to  him  who  best  did  his  duty.  He  made  his 
millions  not  at  the  expense  of  others,  but  by  helping  others  to 
make  thousands  where  before  they  had  made  hundreds. 


212 


IDanberbilt 


By  reducing  the  rates  for  travel  and  traffic,  by  diminishing 
the  peril,  wear,  and  tear  of  railway  life,  by  utilizing  every  new 
invention  and  discovery,  by  employing  men  with  regard  to  their 
fitness  and  merit,  by  organizing  railways  as  a  general  organizes 
an  army,  he  estabished  a  new  precedent  and  standard  for  Ameri- 
can financiers.  His  descendants  have  but  followed  in  his  foot- 
steps. Scores  of  other  financiers  have  taken  up  the  work,  and, 
following  the  same  lines,  have  met  with  the  same  success.  The 
giant  operations  of  to-day  are  merely  repetitions  on  a  larger  scale 
of  what  the  old  New  York  Central  President  did  forty  years  ago. 
He  was  the  first  American  railway  king  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
word.  His  kingdom  was  small,  compared  to  the  empires  whose 
capitals  now  dot  Wall  Street,  and  his  army  of  employees  insig- 
nificant beside  those  which  serve  the  huge  corporations  of  the 
present  year,  but  their  systems  are  his  system  applied  to  new 
conditions,  and  their  success  is  based  upon  the  principles  he  laid 
down  for  his  own  guidance.  As  the  prosperity  of  the  Empire 
City  and  State  is  so  largely  a  consequence  of  its  matchless 
railway  facilities,  his  name  will  go  down  to  the  future  as  one  of 
its  most  useful  citizens. 


IDan  1Ren88elaer 


213 


Kiliaen  Km  Rensselaer 

First  Lor.f  of  the  Manor 


XL 


VAN  RENSSELAER 


the  greatness  of  a  family  is  to  be 
measured  by  the  number  of  distin- 
guished public  servants  it  has  given 
to  the  State,  the  Van  Rensselaers  are 
entitled  to  a  high  place  on  New 
York's  roll  of  fame.  From  the  first 
Dutch  settlements  to  the  present  time, 
a  period  of  thirteen  generations,  they 
have  always  been  represented  by  one 
or  more  members  of  ability  and  social 
position  in  public  affairs.  The  family 
will  be  long  remembered  because  it 
was  identified  with  the  movement  for  establishing  a  landed  aris- 
tocracy of  the  New  Vv^orld.  It  enjoyed  the  ancient  Dutch  title  of 
Patroon,  and,  after  the  supersedure  of  the  Dutch  by  English  au- 
thority in  America,  of  Lord  of  the  Manor.  They  were  a  stalwart 
race  and  fought  strenuously  for  their  ideas.  Their  titles  vanished 
in  the  Revolution,  but  their  real-estate  system  was  not  abolished 
until  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

The  founder  of  the  family  in  America  was  Kiliaen  Van 
Rensselaer,  who  was  a  wealthy  Amsterdam  merchant,  and  a 
leader  in  the  famous  guild  of  trading  princes  which  at 
that  time  played  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  commerce 
of  the  world.  He  owned  large  estates  in  the  Netherlands,  and 
was  a  director  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company.       He  must 


Kiliaen 


215 


2i6  Dan  IRensselaer 

have  been  shrewd  and  far-sighted.  When  the  company  took 
possession  of  land  around  the  Hudson  River,  he,  with  his  col- 
leagues, instituted  a  college  of  nine  commissioners  to  take 
charge  of  the  new  enterprise,  and  practically  to  become  an  im- 
perium  in  imperio.  It  is  needless  to  remark  that  Kiliaen  was  a 
member  of  this  smaller  body,  and  before  a  year  had  passed  was 
apparently  its  active  head.  As  a  member  of  the  company,  he 
voted  in  favor  of  a  liberal  charter  to  the  college,  which  created  a 
number  of  patroons  with  feudal  power  and  jurisdiction,  of  whom 
he  was  one  of  the  most  prominent.  He  was  fair  and  just  in  his 
dealings.  He  might  have  followed  the  example  of  the  Puritans 
and  Pilgrims,  and  seized  land  without  recognizing  the  rights  of 
the  redmen.  This  was  too  common  a  course  in  those  years, 
and  had  he  done  it,  it  would  have  provoked  neither  censure  nor 
comment. 

But  he  sent  out  agents  and  bought  the  land  from  the  Indians 
in  1630,  and  paid  the  owners  even  more  than  they  demanded. 
Then  with  mercantile  thrift  he  had  the  sale  sanctioned  by  the 
college  and  the  company  under  their  great  seal.  He  kept  on 
securing  other  bits  of  choice  land  for  seven  years,  when  he  con- 
cluded that  his  property  was  as  large  as  he  could  handle  with 
his  surplus  wealth,  it  was  a  magnificent  estate.  His  agents 
with  fine  judgment  had  chosen  a  territory  which  composed  a 
tract  twenty-four  miles  wide  and  forty-eight  miles  long,  contain- 
ing more  than  seven  hundred  thousand  acres,  which  now  con- 
stitutes the  counties  of  Rensselaer,  Albany,  and  the  northern 
part  of  Columbia.  If  the  record  is  to  be  believed,  he  never  came 
out  to  take  charge  of  his  colony,  although  he  sent  out  colonists 
and  stores  with  generous  hand.  According  to  tradition,  how- 
ever, he  visited  Rensselaerwyck,  as  he  styled  the  colony,  once 
or  twice,  but  if  he  ever  made  the  trips,  they  must  have  been  of 
brief  duration. 

Kiliaen's  wisdom  was  shown  in  another  point  —  the  selec- 
tion of  his  colonists.  As  far  as  he  could,  he  picked  out  young 
farmers — strong,  healthy,  intelligent,  and  married.  To  keep  them 
from  growing  homesick,  he  dispatched  regularly  shipments  of 


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Dan  IRenssclacr  217 

various  goods  and  merchandise  from  home,  taking  care  to  include 
little  articles  of  comfort  or  pleasure-giving  quality,  which  v/ould 
appeal  to  the  better  nature  of  his  tenants.  One  cargo,  sent  in 
1643,  and  consigned  to  his  colony  for  its  own  use,  was  valued 
at  twelve  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy  guilders — about  as 
many  dollars,  according  to  the  purchasing  value  of  the  guilder  at 
that  period.  The  great  merchant  was  working  not  for  himself, 
apparently,  but  for  his  children.  Rensselaerwyck  was  to  be  a 
petty  principality,  of  which  his  descendants  were  to  be  the  feudal 
lords.  At  the  very  start  he  built  a  fort  and  went  to  the  expense 
of  equipping  it  with  the  best  cannons  of  the  time.  He  organized 
a  court  which  dispensed  justice,  civil  and  criminal,  and  from 
which  appeals  were  allowed  to  a  higher  tribunal.  Even  here 
the  forethought  of  the  man  was  well  displayed.  On  the  face 
of  the  old  documents  it  does  not  appear  whether  these  appeals 
lay  to  the  college,  the  company,  or  to  the  highest  court  of  the 
Netherlands. 

As  all  his  colonists  were  required  to  take  an  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  him,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  indetlniteness  as  to 
appeals  was  intentional,  and  was  put  there  with  a  view  to  deny- 
ing in  the  future  any  jurisdiction  of  a  superior  power  outside  of 
the  Netherlands.  This  would  have  avoided  any  claim  of  suze- 
rainty by  the  college  or  the  company.  The  colony  grew  in  pros- 
perity and  numbers,  and  was  a  formidable  rival  for  many  years 
to  New  Amsterdam.  The  superintendents  were  generally,  if  not 
always,  blood  relatives  of  the  first  Patroon,  and  men  of  strong 
personality  and  executive  power.  Two  of  them,  jan  Baptist  Van 
Rensselaer  and  jeremias  Van  Rensselaer,  carried  the 

•'  Jan  Baptist 

estate  through  all  the  storms  and  troubles  of  those 
exciting  times,  and  increased  its  value  to  handsome  proportions. 
The  latter  possessed  a  chivalrous  nature  of  the  highest  type. 
After  the  New  Netherlands  were  transferred  to  Eng- 

Jeremias 

land,  there  was  some  legal  trouble  in  securing  the 
confirmation  of  the  Van  Rensselaer  grants.     Partly  to  evade  the 
legal  difficulties,  and  partly,  perhaps,  to  tempt  the  man,  several 
people  of  prominence  advised  jeremias  to  take  out  the  patents 


2i8  Dan  IRcnsscIacr 

in  his  own  name.  At  the  time  he  had  a  large  interest  in  the 
property,  both  as  agent  and  as  heir,  and  could  have  obtained  the 
patent  in  his  own  name  without  deceit  or  trouble.  But  it  is 
recorded  that  he  refused  the  offer  with  the  simple  remark:  "  1 
am  only  a  part  heir,  and  1  cannot  defraud  my  sisters  and 
brothers." 

In  1695,  the  great  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  estate  was  divided, 
the  American  part  going  to  Kiliaen  of  Albany,  son  of  Jeremias, 
Kiliaen  of  for  himself,  his  brothers  and  sisters,  and  the  Holland 
Albany  possessious  to  the   heirs  living  in  that  country.     In 

1704,  Queen  Anne  confirmed  Kiliaen's  estate.  This  made  him 
the  first  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck,  of  which  he  was 
also  the  fourth  Patroon.  From  Kiliaen,  and  his  brother  Hendrik, 
have  sprung  all  the  American  Van  Rensselaers.  The  other  rel- 
atives of  the  three  generations  preceding  them  either  died  childless 
or  else  remained  in  the  Old  World.  Kiliaen  married  his  cousin, 
Maria  Van  Cortlandt,  by  whom  he  had  six  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters. His  oldest  son,  Jeremias,  who  died  unmarried,  was  the 
fifth  Patroon,  and  his  second  son,  Steven,  the  sixth.  The  latter's 
son,  Stephen  11.,  became  the  seventh   Patroon,  and 

Stephen  II. 

married  Catherine  Livingston,  daughter  of  Philip 
Livingston,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  built 
the  Van  Rensselaer  manor-house,  which  in  the  last  century  was 
regarded  as  the  finest  colonial  mansion  in  the  Empire  State. 
Like  his  ancestors,  Stephen  was  a  royal  host.  He  entertained  in 
a  style  which  would  have  been  extravagant  for  other  citizens. 
To  his  tenants  he  was  a  kind  landlord,  aiding  them  to  improve 
their  property  and  the  surrounding  country,  and  often  making 
improvements  himself  for  their  benefit.  His  very  generosity 
proved  paying  investments.  Thus  he  assisted  several  tenants 
in  building  sloops  with  which  to  navigate  the  Hudson.  In  the 
course  of  time  they  paid  him  back  the  loans,  and  with  true 
Knickerbocker  gratitude  always  carried  his  produce  and  freight 
for  smaller  rates  than  they  charged  other  customers.  The  same 
policy  marked  his  construction  of  wharves  and  toll  bridges,  lime- 
stone kilns  and  brickyards. 


<U      « 

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>     ^ 


•^ 


<1> 

>   "^ 

.2  I 

o 


IDan  IRcnesclaer  219 

The  next  generation  produced  the  flower  of  the  family.  This 
was  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  111.,  fifth  Lord  of  the  Manor  and 
eighth    Patroon.     His  father    having    died,    he   was 

^  °  Stephen  HI. 

educated  by  his  grandtather,  Philip  Livingston.  Under 
such  auspices  he  progressed  rapidly,  and  in  due  course  was 
graduated  from  Harvard  with  high  honors.  He  married  Mar- 
garita Schuyler,  thus  transmitting  to  his  posterity  the  blood  of 
five  of  the  great  colonial  f'lmilies  —  Schuyler,  Van  Rensselaer, 
Livingston,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Ten  Broeck.  After  graduation, 
he  kept  up  his  studies,  and  at  the  same  time  personally  managed 
his  large  estates.  Four  years  later,  he  became  interested  in 
military  affairs,  and  received  a  commission  as  major  of  infantry. 
He  was  so  active  in  his  new  position  that  in  1786  he  was  pro- 
moted to  be  colonel;  thereafter  he  was  made  a  major-general. 
He  also  entered  politics,  and  proved  an  efficient  Assemblyman, 
Senator,  and  Lieutenant-Governor.  His  first  wife  dying,  he 
married  Cornelia  Paterson,  daughter  of  Supreme  Court  judge 
William  Paterson,  who  was  also  Governor  of  New  jersey.  In 
1810,  the  General  was  appointed  upon  the  commission  to  desig- 
nate the  route  for  the  Erie  Canal.  In  18 16,  the  law  was  passed 
for  building  that  vast  waterway,  and  he  served  as  member  of 
the  board  and  then  as  president  from  1824  until  his  death  in  1839. 
In  the  War  of  18 12  he  displayed  rare  gallantry  and  military  skill. 
Among  his  officers  were  many  of  his  kinsmen,  notably  his 
cousin.  Colonel  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Queenstown   Heights.     In  addition  coionei 

to  his  studies,  his  business,  military  affairs,  and  his  soiomon 
political  labors,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  still  found  time  for  a 
vast  amount  of  outside  work.  From  1819  to  1839,  he  was  a 
Regent  of  the  State  University,  and,  in  the  last  years  of  that 
period,  its  Chancellor.  From  1823  to  1829,  he  served  acceptably 
in  the  House  of  Representatives.  In  1824  he  founded  the  first 
scientific  school  in  the  New  World.  His  own  words  show  how 
far  ahead  he  was  of  the  times:  "  A  school  to  qualify  teachers  to 
instruct  the  application  of  experimental  chemistry,  philosophy, 
and  natural  history  to  agriculture,  domestic  economy,  and  to  the 


220  IDan  IRensselaer 

arts  and  manufactures."  This  school,  now  known  as  the  Rens- 
selaer Polytechnic  Institute,  will  always  be  a  memorial  to  the 
philanthropy  and  statesmanship  of  its  founder,  in  1 825,  Yale  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.D. 

The  eighth  Patroon  left  twelve  children,  three  by  his  first  and 

nine  by  his  second  wife.     Of  these,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  IV., 

usually  referred  to  as  the  Young  Patroon,   was  the 

Stephen  IV. 

eldest.  To  him  had  descended  the  bulk  of  the  great 
Van  Rensselaer  estate  or  plantation,  and  by  him,  through  political 
causes,  it  was  dissipated  for  ever.  The  dream  of  the  first  Patroon 
came  to  naught  in  the  lifetime  of  his  ninth  successor.  The  occa- 
sion was  what  is  known  to-day  as  the  anti-rent  war,  and  it  was 
brought  about  by  industrial  rather  than  political  forces.  Under 
the  old  Dutch  system  the  great  plantation  of  seven  hundred 
thousand  acres  had  been  split  up  in  small  holdings,  and  these 
leased  in  perpetuity  for  rent  charges  or  services  of  the  olden  time. 
For  one  field,  so  many  bushels  of  grain  per  annum  was  the  rent; 
for  another,  so  many  skins  and  pelts;  for  a  third,  so  much  timber; 
and,  for  a  fourth,  so  many  head  of  cattle,  or  of  sheep.  This  cum- 
brous system,  well  enough  adapted  to  a  primitive  age,  had  become 
utterly  opposed  to  the  new  conditions  of  the  land.  The  Van 
Rensselaers  were  fine  landlords,  which  cannot  be  said  of  all  the 
Patroons  of  New  York,  but  even  with  the  kindest  landlord  there 
was  always  trouble.  Besides  this,  no  tenant  desired  to  make  im- 
provements, whose  benefit  would  revert  to  the  landlord  and  not  to 
himself  Opposition  to  the  rent  system  developed  into  agitation, 
and  this  into  social  and  political  organizations.  Conflicts  occurred 
between  the  anti-renters  and  the  authorities,  and  at  one  time  it 
looked  as  if  civil  war  or  insurrection  would  devastate  the  fair  land 
of  the  old  manorial  grants. 

Stephen  was  a  man  of  singularly  sweet  disposition,  and  rather 
than  oppose  the  people  in  their  desire  for  a  change  in  the  landed 
system,  he  gave  up  the  traditions  of  his  race,  cutting  his  estate 
into  farms  and  house  lots,  and  selling  them  to  the  highest  bidder. 
It  was  a  losing  transaction  in  every  way.  Worst  of  all,  the  coun- 
try was  agitated,  the  market  was  worse  than  stagnant,  and  most 


Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  III. 

Patroon  ofthe  Manor  of  Reiisselaeiwyck.       Major-General  of  the  United 
States  Army 


IPan  TRcnsselaer  221 

of  his  sales  went,  it  is  said,  for  a  mere  song.  Although  legally  his 
father  was  the  last  of  the  Patroons,  yet  the  people  of  his  time, 
with  poetic  justice,  called  him  by  that  title,  and  as  "the  last  of 
the  Patroons"  he  will  go  down  to  history.  He  married  Har- 
riet E.  Bayard,  by  whom  he  had  five  daughters  and  three  sons. 
The  preponderance  of  female  children  has  caused  this  branch  of  the 
family  almost  to  disappear  in  other  names,  among  which  are  the 
Douws,  Thayers,  Robbs,  Andrews,  Townsends,  Barbers,  Crosbys, 
and  Berrys.  In  the  web  of  life,  the  threads  cross  unceasingly. 
The  late  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  Townsend,  who  was  graduated 
from  Harvard  in  1882,  was  looking  over  the  university  rolls  one 
day,  and  there  found  that  his  great-grandfather,  after  whom  he 
was  named,  had  been  graduated  in  the  class  of  1782,  just  one 
century  before. 

Among  those  who  have  rendered  public  service  in  the  present 
generation  of  the  oldest  branch  of  the  family,  are  William  Bayard 
Van  Rensselaer,  Dr.  Howard  Van  Rensselaer,  and  the 

Dr.  Howard 

Rev.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer.     A  distinguished  brother 

of  Stephen  was  Brigadier-General  Henry  Van   Rensselaer,  who 

graduated  at  West  Point  in  1827,  and  served  as  lieuten- 

Gen.  Henry 

ant   in   the   United  States  Army.     He    was   sent  to 
Congress  in  1841,  and  during  the  rebellion  was  a  colonel,  inspector- 
general,  and  aide-de-camp  to  General  Scott.  He  died  just  before  the 
close  of  the  war  of  typhoid  fever,  contracted  while  in  the  service. 

Besides  General  Henry  was  his  nephew,  Kiliaen,  who  was 
born  1845,  at  Albany.  He  entered  the  Civil  War  a  mere  boy,  and 
rose  to  be  a  captain  in  the  Thirty-ninth  New  York  Volunteers.  He 
took  part  in  some  fourteen  engagements,  and  served  under 
Generals  Grant  and  Hancock. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  travelled  and  entered  business  life, 
but  after  a  few  years  came  to  devote  most  of  his  time  to  philan- 
thropy and  church  work.    Another  hero  of  the  civil 

.......  t  r  T->  <-     1         /~  Col.  William 

conflict  was  William  Van  Rensselaer,  of  the  Seneca 
Falls  branch  of  the  family.     He  was  an  officer  of  the  New  York 
Volunteer  Engineers,  and  fought  with  distinguished  gallantry  in 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 


222  IPan  IRensselaer 

Of  the  eight  other  brothers  and  sisters  of  Stephen  IV.,  there 
has  been  a  similar  preponderance  of  female  descendants,  and  the 
absorption  of  their  own  in  other  family  names.  Here  are  found  the 
Ervings,  Pruyns,  Coopers,  Kings,  Atterburys,  Fairfaxes,  Hodges, 
Grubbs,  Screvens,  Lorillards,  Kennedys,  Waddingtons,  Delafields, 
Crosbys,  Baylies,  and  Crugers. 

Less  distinguished,  perhaps,  than  Stephen  III.,  the  eighth 
Patroon,  were  his  kinsmen,  Jeremiah,  Colonel  Kiliaen,  Kiliaen 
K.,  and  Solomon.  Jeremiah  was  born  in  1741,  was  graduated 
from  Princeton  College  in  1758,  and  took  part  in  the  Revolution. 
Distinguished  as  a  member  of  Congress,  he  represented  New  York 
from  1789  to  1 79 1.  He  was  Lieutenant-Governor  from  1801  to 
1804. 

Colonel  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer,  a  grandson  of  Jeremiah  III.,  son 
of  the  first  Patroon,  who  succeeded  his  brother  Jan  Baptist  as  di- 
coi  Kiliaen  ''^ctor  of  the  Colony  of  Rensselaerwyck  (1658),  was  an 
ardent  patriot  in  Revolutionary  days.  At  the  outbreak 
of  hostilities  he  joined  the  colonial  forces  and  took  with  him  three 
of  his  sons,  leaving  behind  only  those  who  were  too  young  to  go 
to  war.  He  and  his  boys  served  with  heroism,  he  being  known 
as  "  Fighting  Kiliaen  "  (or  "  Colonel  Kiliaen  ")  during  the  conflict 
and  afterwards,  as  long  as  he  lived.  He  was  complimented  by 
Washington.  Kiliaen  K.  Van  Rensselaer,  son  of  Colonel 
Kiliaen,  was  a  Yale  graduate,  and  in  college  he  achieved 
a  high  reputation  for  scholarship.  After  graduation  he  became 
private  secretary  to  General  Schuyler,  who  had  married  his  cousin. 
In  his  leisure  he  studied  law.  He  entered  the  bar  and  belonged  to 
a  famous  group  of  jurists,  which  included  James  Kent,  De  Witt 
Clinton,  and  Ambrose  Spencer.  He  was  elected  to  Congress  in 
1801,  and  was  re-elected  four  times.  Chief  among  his  descendants 
may  be  mentioned  the  Rev.  Dr.  Maunsell  Van  Rensse- 
laer, the  Episcopal  divine,  President  of  De  Veaux  Col- 
lege, and  thereafter  of  Hobart  College,  who  was  born  in  Albany, 
1819. 

In  1 876,  he  resigned  the  presidency  of  Hobart  College  and  went 
to  Europe.     He  occupied  the  pulpits  of  Emanuel  Church  and  the 


Cornelia  Paterson 

Wife  of  Stephen  Van  Rensstlaei  111.      From  a  miniature 


IPan  IRcnsselacr  223 

American  Chapel  at  Geneva,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  by 
Gen.  U.  S.  Grant.  He  was  afterwards  connected  with  many 
philanthropies. 

Solomon  Van  Rensselaer  was  also  a  soldier  in  the  eighteenth 
century.  He  enlisted  when  but  nineteen  years  old,  and  served 
under  General  Wayne,  in  1794.  In  1 799,  he  was  promoted  to  be 
major,  and  was  Adjutant-General  of  "New  York  from  1801  to  1810. 
He  fought  bravely  through  the  War  of  1812,  and  ended  his  military 
career  by  becoming  a  Congressman,  from  18 19  to  1822. 

A  celebrated  junior  line  from  jeremias,  third  son  of  the  first 
Patroon,  has  added  many  names  to  the  roll  of  honor.  One  of  these 
begins  with  his  great-grandson  Major  James  Van  Rensse- 
laer, who  fought  bravely  in  the  Revolution,  enjoyed  the  *J°'' J*™" 
confidence  of  Washington,  and  at  one  time  served  under  Gen.  Mont- 
gomery. From  him  comes  the  line  marked  by  Philip,  Gratz,  and 
Cortlandt  Van  Rensselaer,  formerly  United  States  District  Attorney 
in  this  city.  The  records  of  the  eighteenth  century  show  at  least 
seventy  members  of  the  family  besides  those  enumerated. 

Mention  should  be  made  of  Colonel  Stephen,  son  of  Brigadier- 
General  Henry,  a  brilliant  soldier  on  General  Scott's  staff  during  the 
civil  conflict,  whose  heroism  has  adorned  the  history  of  Reverend 
that  giant  struggle  ;  of  Rev.  Cortlandt,  son  of  Rev.  coniandt 
Cortlandt,  a  noted  Presbyterian  divine,  a  war  chaplain  and  an 
efficient  secretary  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  ;  of  Philip  Livingston, 
another  son  of  Rev.  Cortlandt  who  made  a  laudable  war  record  ; 
of  William,  son  of  William  P.,  an  officer  in  the  U.  S.  Volunteers  ; 
and  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  Cruger,  a  brilliant  soldier.  The 
five  were  grandsons  of  Stephen  and  his  wife,  Cornelia  Paterson. 
To  this  generation  belongs  James  Tallmadge  (son  of  Philip  S.  and 
his  wife  Mary  B.  Tallmadge),  who  was  U.  S.  Assistant  District 
Attorney  for  New  York. 

The  Van  Rensselaer  fame  will  rest  more  upon  political  than 
upon  personal  grounds.  Were  every  member  of  the  race  annihil- 
ated the  story  of  the  family  would  be  preserved  by  all  students  of 
jurisprudence.  Many  attempts  were  made  toward  establishing 
aristocracies  of  various  types  in  the  New  World.     In  Maine,  when 


224  ^^"  IRensselaer 

it  was  Acadia,  the  French  endeavored  to  reproduce  upon  a  small 
scale  the  social  features  of  the  ancien  regime.  In  Mexico,  both 
Church  and  State  essayed  the  creation  of  ecclesiastical  and  Castil- 
ian  tenures.  The  experiments  of  Lord  Delaware  and  other  English 
nobles  are  well  known.  None  of  these  came  to  any  notable  suc- 
cess, but  the  plans  of  the  great  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  were  made 
with  consummate  skill  and  executed  with  magnificent  power.  He 
and  his  descendants  ruled  with  wisdom  and  justice.  If  ever  a  feudal 
aristocracy  could  have  been  perpetuated  in  the  New  World,  they 
were  the  men  to  perform  the  task.  The  abolition  of  the  double 
title  of  Patroon  and  Lord  of  the  Manor  was  the  first  blow  which  the 
spirit  of  the  New  World  administered  to  their  cherished  designs. 
Though  the  titles  were  abolished  by  the  Revolution,  the  system 
remained  unchanged.  Even  as  late  as  1812  it  looked  as  if  the  Pa- 
troon system  were  to  become  a  factor  in  the  social  development  of 
the  Empire  State.  The  anti-rent  agitation,  followed  by  the  legisla- 
tion which  was  enacted  in  Albany  between  1845  and  i860,  was  the 
second  blow  which  put  an  end  to  the  last  relics  of  feudal  Europe. 
The  Van  Rensselaers  made  a  brave  fight  for  the  cause  with  which 
they  were  identified,  and  the  last  of  the  Patroons  went  down  in 
defeat  like  a  gentleman.  He  himself  lived  to  see  the  day  when  his 
representatives  at  Albany  and  Washington  were  the  descendants 
of  the  oath-bound  underlings  of  his  ancestors.  It  took  two  hun- 
dred years  for  John  Smith  to  take  the  Patroon  from  the  manorial 
chair,  and  to  carve  the  manor  into  ten  thousand  independent  little 
farms.  Yet  in  this  change  the  heroic  qualities  of  the  Van  Rensse- 
laers were  developed  and  made  greater.  Those  who  fought  in  the 
Revolution  were  a  higher  and  finer  type  than  those  who  first  ruled 
the  poor  farmers  of  Rensselaerwyck,  and  with  the  final  crash  the 
newer  generation  took  up  the  great  work  of  life  with  a  zeal  and 
manhood  worthy  of  any  race. 


Dan  Siclen 


225 


XLI 


VAN  SICLEN 


HE  consolidation  of  Brooklyn  with  New 
York  was  merely  the  legal  recognition 
of  a  very  ancient  fact.  From  the 
founding  of  New  Amsterdam  the  two 
boroughs  have  been  organic  parts  of 
the  same  community.  Indeed,  Brook- 
lyn up  to  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth 
century  was  more  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  New  York  proper  than 
were  Haarlem  and  the  settlements 
beyond  that  river,  which  now  make  a 
continuous  city  from  the  Battery  to 
Yonkers.  Nowhere  is  this  better  evidenced  than  in  the  history  of 
the  old  families.  Both  boroughs  have  equal  claims  upon  the 
Livingstons,  Schermerhorns,  Remsens,  Kings,  Schencks,  and  Van- 
derbilts.  To  this  class  belongs  the  ancient  Dutch  race  of  Van 
Siclen,  which  crossed  the  ocean  to  the  New  Netherlands  in  the 
middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  has  been  an  influential  ele- 
ment in  the  development  of  the  community  up  to  the  present  time. 
Like  most  of  the  old  Holland  names,  the  orthography  of  the  patro- 
nymic has  varied  considerably.  Among  the  forms  which  it  has 
assumed  may  be  enumerated  Van  Sicklen,  Van  Sichlen,  Van 
Siclen,  Van  Sickelen,  Van  Siechelen,  Van  Sychlen,  Van  Scyklen, 
Van  Syckle,  Vansyckel,  and  Van  Sickle.     Several  branches  have 

dropped  the  Van  and  simplified  the  name  to  Sickel  and  Sickles. 

227 


2  28  IDan  Siclen 

In  Holland,  the  family  belonged  to  the  agricultural  class,  and 
held  many  positions  indicative  of  importance  in  the  State.  They 
were  Syndics,  Burgomasters,  elders  and  deacons,  lieutenants  and 
captains,  merchants  and  divines.  Anthony  van  Sicklen  was  one  of 
the  Protestants  who  emigrated  from  Catholic  Belgium  (from 
Ghent),  in  1566,  to  Protestant  Holland,  where  he  became  a  Coun- 
cillor from  the  province  of  Zeeland,  representing  that  province  and 
signing  the  Pacification  of  Ghent,  with  William  the  Silent  and  the 
other  Dutch  representatives.  For  three  centuries  at  least,  in  the 
Old  World,  they  were  noted  for  their  physical  vigor  and  soldierly 
qualities.  They  seemed  to  enjoy  war  for  its  excitement  and  glory 
rather  than  for  ambition  or  gain.  They  took  part  in  every  war 
wherein  the  "Netherlands  were  engaged,  and  supplied  many  free 
lances  to  other  nations.  They  were  in  the  armies  of  Gustavus, 
of  the  Duke  of  Burgundy,  the  Kings  of  France,  and  Charles  V., 
the  great  Emperor  of  Germany.  Military  life  is  closely  connected 
with  the  nomadic  instinct.  The  soldier  has  no  home  and  is  called 
by  both  duty  and  inclination  to  march  from  camp  to  camp  and 
country  to  country.  This  nomadic  instinct  appeared  in  the  history 
of  the  Van  Siclens  in  the  New  World.  In  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury they  seemed  to  have  visited  all  of  the  settlements  of  the  New 
Netherlands,  and  in  the  eighteenth  to  have  been  among  the 
explorers  and  pioneers  of  the  unbroken  West. 

The  founder  was  Ferdinandus  [1635],  who  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen came  to  New  Amsterdam,  where  he  stayed  a  year  or  more, 
Ferdinandus  ^ud  theu  Settled  in  Flatlands,  Long  Island.  Here  he 
the  Founder  ggou  had  a  large  farm,  and  was  doing  a  profitable 
business  with  Brooklyn  and  New  Amsterdam.  He  married 
Eva  Antonise  Jansen,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons  and  five 
daughters.  These  children  were  strong  and  sturdy  and  must 
have  been  of  invaluable  service  to  their  parents.  In  the  Dutch 
families  at  that  time  the  boys  aided  the  father  upon  the  land  and 
with  the  live  stock,  while  the  girls  helped  the  mother  in  the  care 
of  the  house,  the  management  of  the  poultry-yard  and  dairy,  and 
in  spinning,  weaving,  and  dyeing. 

The  father  of  Eva,  the  wife  of  Ferdinandus,  was  Antony 


The  Old  Van  Sicklen  House  in  Ghent,  Belgium 

Built  about  niS,  and  still  standing 


Dan  Slclen  229 

Jansen,  known  as  Antony  Jansen  van  Salee,  and  sometimes  as 
Antony  Jansen  van  Fez,  from  his  having  lived  for  some  time 
in  Morocco  at  the  cities  of  Salee  and  Fez  ;  he  had  carried  out 
practically  the  motto  of  his  Beggars'  Badge:  "Liver  Turc  dan 
Paus,"  (literally,  "Rather  Turk  than  Papist "),  becoming  a  free- 
booter and  capturing  Spanish  and  other  Catholic  ships.  This 
Beggars'  Badge,  which  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  George  W.  van 
Siclen,  was  one  of  the  most  famous  coins  or  badges  of  Europe, 
being  in  the  shape  of  a  crescent,  and  having  on  the  obverse  the 
other  motto:  "  En  tout  fidelle  au  Roi "  (In  all  things  faithful  to 
the  king).  This  was  the  motto  of  the  Dutch  Protestants  who  re- 
belled against  the  Spanish  Inquisition,  yet  claimed  to  remain 
faithful  to  Philip  11.  The  crescent  was  the  badge  of  the  "  Beggars 
of  the  Sea,"  while  the  badge  of  the  "Gueux"or  Beggars  of  the 
Land  had  for  motto,  "En  tout  fidele  au  roi  jusqu'a  porter  la 
besa<;e "  (in  all  things  faithful  to  the  king,  even  to  carrying  a 
beggar's  sack),  because  a  Spanish  count,  when  Brederodeand  the 
Dutch  nobles  came  to  King  Philip's  representative  with  a  petition 
against  the  Inquisition,  said,  scornfully:  "Here  come  those 
beggars."  The  latter  badge  had  the  portrait  of  Philip  11.  on  one 
side,  and  on  the  reverse  a  beggar's  sack  with  two  hands  clasped 
through  the  strap,  and  pendant  from  the  sides  of  the  metal  badge 
two  metal  gourds  or  bottles,  and  from  the  bottom,  a  cup;  at  Mr.  van 
Siclen's  suggestion  this  was  adopted  as  the  badge  of  the  Holland 
Society  of  New  York,  and  is  made  by  Tiffany  from  a  model  sent 
by  the  Numismatic  Society  of  Amsterdam.  Antony  Jansen  van 
Salee  was  called  "The  Turk,"  and  received  from  Governor 
William  Kieft  a  grant  of  land  where  Bensonhurst  now  stands;  it 
is  known  to  this  day  in  the  abstracts  of  title  as  "The  Turk's  Plan- 
tation." A  brazier  of  his  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Robert  Bayles, 
president  of  the  Market  &  Fulton  National  Bank,  of  New  York,  to 
whom  it  descended  from  Johannes  Gulick,  who  married  a  daughter 
of  Ferdinandus  van  Sicklen.  From  Ferdinandus  [1635]  and  his 
wife  Eva  are  descended  all  the  Van  Siclens  in  America.  Before 
1566,  the  Van  Sicklen  family  were  living  in  Ghent  continuously 
from  A.D.  1338,  and  prior,  often  serving  as  echevins,  or  members 


230  Dan  Siclen 

of  the  city  council.  George  van  Sicklen  was  abbot  of  St.  Bavon, 
A.  D.  140'^.  The  family  were  Normans  and  came  to  Ghent  from 
Amiens.  A  stone  residence  is  standing  in  Ghent  to-day  (1902) 
which  was  standing  there  in  a.  d.  1338,  and  is  and  always  has 
been  known  as  "  De  Groote  Sickele  "  and  "  La  Grande  Fau9ille," 
belonging  to  the  Van  Sicklen  family;  it  has  lately  been  purchased 
by  the  municipality  of  Ghent  and  is  to  be  used  as  a  museum  of 
antiquities;  it  is  built  of  rough-hewn  stone,  "  Belgian  pavement," 
and  is  about  one  hundred  feet  square. 

Not  far  from  the  Van  Siclen  homestead  (near  Van  Siclen 
Station  on  the  Brooklyn  Elevated)  was  the  settlement  of  the 
Canarsie  Indians,  who  proved  kind  neighbors,  and  a  warm  friend- 
ship sprang  up  between  them  and  the  family.  The  children  used 
the  camp  as  a  playground,  and  picked  up  a  knowledge  of  the 
Indian  tongue.  This  idle  accomplishment  had  singular  conse- 
quences. In  each  generation  during  the  following  century  at  least 
one  Van  Siclen  was  the  official  interpreter  of  the  Dutch,  and  after- 
wards of  the  British  Government.  Several  of  them  became  so 
much  attached  to  the  redmen  that  they  left  their  homes  and  lived 
with  and  ruled  the  latter.  One  of  them,  tradition  says,  became  a 
titular  chief,  and  transmitted  his  complimentary  title  through 
several  generations. 

The  three  sons  played  prominent  parts  in  their  time.  They 
and  their  father  were  among  the  moving  spirits  in  the  establish- 
ment of  a  market  and  fair  in  Brooklyn.  This  was  patterned  after 
the  jovial  town-fairs  of  Holland,  and  proved  a  thorough  success. 
On  fair  days  the  grounds  about  the  market  were  covered  with 
booths,  tents,  and  Indian  wigwams,  the  farmhouses  held  open 
hospitality,  and  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  music  and  dancing 
gave  pleasure  to  the  young,  and  pipes,  beer,  and  wine  to  the  old. 
It  was  the  first  collective  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  community  to 
cater  to  the  social  side  of  life  in  this  part  of  the  New  Netherlands. 
These  fairs  must  have  been  a  pleasant  spectacle.  The  rosy- 
cheeked  girls,  fresh  from  the  farms,  attired  in  gayly-colored  dresses, 
with  heavy  jewelry  and  voluminous  linen  petticoats,  the  stalwart 
young  farmers  in  their  traditional  Dutch  garb,  soldiers  and  sailors, 


IDan  Slclen  231 

merchants  and  their  families  from  neighboring  towns,  with  a 
sprini<Iing  of  hidians  through  the  crowd,  must  have  made  a  pictu- 
resque ensemble.  The  records  show  that  many  visitors  came 
from  New  York,  some  of  whom  took  part  in  the  dancing  and 
festivities. 

Of  the  three  sons,  Reinier  [born  about  1659]  remained  at 
home;  Johannes,  the  scholar,  became  a  schoolmaster  in  Flatbush; 
and  Ferdinandus,  Jr.,  settled  upon  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
became  a  notable  Indian  interpreter  and  farmer. 

Johannes  was  a  popular  pedagogue,  and  enjoyed  the  respect 
and  affection  of  his  townsmen.  To  be  a  teacher  in  those  days 
meant  much  more,  in  view  of  the  environment,  than  it   ,  . 

'  '  Johannes  the 

does  to-day.  He  was  second  only  to  the  pastor,  and  schoolmaster 
in  some  respects  played  a  larger  part  than  the  latter.  A  fair 
idea  of  his  duties,  as  well  as  of  the  social  conditions  of  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  may  be  obtained  from  the  Flat- 
bush  schoolmaster's  agreement  of  1682: 

"  (i.)  The  school  shall  begin  at  eight  o'clock,  and  goe  out  at 
II;  shall  begin  again  at  one  o'clock  and  ende  at  four.  The  belle 
shall  be  rung  before  the  school  begins. 

"  (2.)  When  school  opens  one  of  the  children  shall  reade 
the  morning  prayer  as  it  stands  in  the  catechism,  and  close  with 
the  prayer  before  dinner;  and  in  the  afternoon  the  same.  The 
evening  school  shall  begin  with  the  Lord's  prayer  and  close  by 
singing  a  psalm. 

"  (3.)  Hee  shall  instruct  the  children  in  the  common  prayers 
and  questions  and  answers  off  the  catechism,  on  Wednesdays  and 
Saturdays,  too  enable  them  to  saye  them  better  on  Sunday  in 
church. 

"  (4.)  Hee  shall  be  bound  to  keepe  the  school  nine  months 
in  succession  from  September  to  June,  one  year  with  another,  and 
shall  always  be  present  himself. 

"(5.)  Hee  shall  bee  Chorister  of  the  Church,  ring  the  belle 
three  times  before  service,  and  reade  a  chapter  of  the  Bible  in  the 
Church  between  the  second  and  third  ringinge  of  the  belle;  after 


232  IDan  Slclen 

the  third  ringinge  hee  shall  reade  the  ten  commandments,  and 
the  twelve  articles  of  Ffaith,  and  then  sett  the  Psalm.  In  the  after- 
noon, after  the  third  ringinge  of  the  belle,  hee  shall  reade  a  short 
chapter  or  one  of  the  Psalms  of  David,  as  the  congregation  are 
assemblinge;  afterward  he  shall  sett  the  psalm. 

"  (7.)  Hee  shall  provide  a  basin  of  water  for  the  baptisme,  for 
which  hee  shall  receive  12  stuyvers  in  wampum  for  every  bap- 
tisme Ffrom  parents  or  sponsers.  Hee  shall  furnish  bread  and 
wine  Ffor  the  Communion  att  the  charge  of  the  Church.  Hee 
shall  also  serve  as  Messenger  Ffor  the  Consistorie. 

"  (8.)  Hee  shall  give  the  Funerale  invitations  and  toll  the 
bell,  and  Ffor  which  hee  shall  receive  Ffor  persons  of  15  years  of 
age  and  upwards  12  guilders,  and  Ffor  persons  under  15,  8  guilders, 
and  if  hee  shall  cross  the  river  to  New  York,  hee  shall  have  four 
guilders  more." 

The  school  money  was  paid  as  follows: 

"(i.)  Hee  shall  receive  Ffor  a  speller  or  reader  3  guilders, 
and  Ffor  a  writer  4  guilders  Ffor  the  day  school.  In  the  evening 
4  guilders  Ffor  a  speller  and  reader,  and  5  guilders  Ffor  a  writer 
per  quarter. 

"  (2.)  The  residue  of  his  salary  shall  bee  400  guilders  in  wheat 
off  wampum  value  delivered  at  Brookland  ferry,  with  the  dwell- 
ing, pasturage,  and  meadow  appertaining  to  the  school." 

Johannes,  after  several  years'  service,  moved  to  Jersey,  where 
he  was  followed  shortly  afterwards  by  his  nephew,  Jan.  Here  he 
established  the  New  Jersey  branch,  which  was  to  become  one  of 
the  great  families  of  that  State. 

In  the  third  generation  the  leading  figures  were  Cornelius  of 
Gravesend,  who  in  middle  life  bought  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
Reinier  Ameutrem,  Huntingdon  County,  N.  J.;  Ferdinand  of 
ofFiatbush  Gravesend,  who  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  real 
estate  owner;  Reinier  of  Flatbush,  who  was  a  farmer,  merchant, 
and  public  official;   Ferdinand  of  Flatlands,  who  married  Mary 


IDan  Slclen  233 

Van  Nuyse,  increased  the  ancestral  estate,  and  had  property  at 
Canarsie  and  in  Queens  County;  Jan  of  Raritan,  who  was  the 
possessor  of  a  large  estate,  and  was  a  leading  man  in  that  part  of 
Jersey.     All  married  and  had  large  and  vigorous  families. 

The  fourth  generation  witnessed  the  continuation  of  the 
prosperity  enjoyed  by  the  third,  and  a  wider  distribution  of  the 
members.  Reinier  [17 16]  was  a  leader  of  Gravesend  and  Flat- 
lands.  Gysbert  [17 18]  was  a  large  landed  proprietor  in  Grave- 
send.  Johannes  [1722]  had  a  fine  establishment  at  New  Lots, 
and  Cornelius  [1728]  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers  at  Wap- 
pinger's  Falls,  N.  Y.  Reinier  was  a  selectman  in  Huntingdon 
County,  N.  J.  Andries  [17 18]  was  a  justice  at  Raritan,  j^^^^  ^^^^j^^ 
N.  J.  Johannes  [  1 720]  was  an  influential  farmer,  soldier, 
and  trader  at  Brunswick.  Abraham  [172 3 J  founded  a  family  in 
Philadelphia.  Jacobus  settled  in  Albany,  and  Peter  began  life  in 
New  York  City. 

The  fifth  and  sixth  generations  covered  the  most  important 
event  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  War  of  Independence,  and 
afforded  opportunity  for  many  of  the  family  to  display  military 
skill  and  patriotic  virtue.  One  of  these  was  Peter,  son  peterthe 
of  Peter,  who  served  under  General  George  Clinton.  Pioneer 
He  was  wounded  several  times,  but  invariably  reported  for  duty 
before  his  wound  had  completely  healed.  On  one  occasion  he 
was  sent  back  because  he  was  still  unable  to  use  a  gun.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  joined  a  party  of  adventurous  soldiers  who 
went  West  and  established  settlements  along  the  Ohio  River. 
Here  he  made  a  record  as  a  pioneer,  and  founded  a  branch  in  the 
"Buckeye"  State.  Ferdinand  of  Wappinger's  Falls,  N.  Y.,  was 
a  well-to-do  patriot,  who  contributed  largely  to  the  Revolutionary 
cause.  He  belonged  to  the  militia  of  the  place,  and  is  said  to 
have  taken  part  in  the  battle  of  Saratoga. 

Lieutenant  Abraham  [1775]  was  a  soldier,  farmer,  and  musi- 
cian. He  served  in  the  War  of  18 12,  where  he  displayed  great 
valor.  He  settled  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  Lieutenant 
established  a  local  branch  of  his  race.  Captain  James  Abraham 
[1790],  of  the  Jacobus  line,  also  served  faithfully  in  the  same  war. 


234  ^an  Slclen 

Captain  Joseph  [1797],  of  the  Reinier  branch,  enlisted,  when  a 

mere  lad,  in  the  army,  where  he  rose  to  be  captain.     In  later  life 

he  removed  to  Michigan,  where  he  made  a  permanent 

aptain  osep  j^^^^^  ^^^  where  his    descendants    are    now  quite 

numerous.  He  was  Captain  of  the  Belvedere  Rangers,  and  when 
receiving  his  honorary  discharge  from  General  Jackson  was  highly 
praised  by  that  great  soldier. 

The 'seventh  and  eighth  generations  supplied  many  soldiers 
to  the  armies  of  the  Union.  More  than  one  hundred  appear  upon 
the  rolls.  Of  these,  the  more  conspicuous  were:  Rich- 
D^wtu  ard  Henry  [1827],  of  the  Abraham  branch,  who  served 
Clinton  j^  ^Y[e  Forty-second  Illinois;  Sergeant  De  Witt  Clinton 
[1816],  of  the  Andrew  branch,  who  was  a  brilliant  soldier  in  the 
Black  Hawk  War,  where  he  made  himself  famous  as  an  Indian 
Lieutenant  fighter;  Lieuteuant  Moses  E.  [1815],  his  brother,  who 
Moses  E.  ^Qp,  ^Yie  military  laurels  of  the  family.  When  seven- 
teen years  old,  he  enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  War;  in  1846,  he 
marched  to  Mexico  and  served  through  that  struggle,  and,  in 
1 86 1,  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  offer  himself  to  the  national  Gov- 
ernment. He  inherited  the  Van  Siclen  talent  for  Indian  languages, 
and  served  as  Government  interpreter  for  many  years.  Lyman, 
of  the  Peter  branch,  a  cavalryman  from  Michigan  during  the  Civil 
War,  was  captured  by  the  Confederates,  and  died  from  jail  fever 
in  Andersonville. 

John  Sydney  [1827],  son  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  was  another 
hero  of  the  great  conflict,  where  his  career  was  altogether  unique. 
John  Sydney  He  was  captured  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and 
the  Pioneer  ^-^j^gj^  ^Q  Selma,  Ala.  Here  he  contrived  a  plan  of 
escape,  which  was  discovered.  He  was  forthwith  removed  to 
Meridian,  Miss.,  where  he  with  other  prisoners  built  a  tunnel  and 
fled  to  the  woods.  He  was  recaptured  and  returned  to  his  former 
place  of  captivity.  Here  he  designed  another  jail  escape,  but  was 
transferred  to  Cahaba,  Ala.  Twice  again  did  he  try  to  break  his 
confinement,  and  was  each  time  transferred,  first  to  Selma  and 
thence  to  Vicksburg.  Here  at  last  he  was  exchanged,  and  im- 
mediately went  back  to  the  front.     His  boast  was  that  he  "  had 


\Dan  Siclcn  235 

done  time  in  seven  Southern  prisons."  George  Washington 
[1841],  of  the  Peter  branch,  enlisted  in  1852,  and  was  discharged 
at  the  end  of  the  war  with  the  rank  of  corporal.  He  was  one 
of  the  company  which  captured  Jefferson  Davis  after  the  fail 
of  Richmond. 

At  the  present  time  the  family  is  represented  by  the  eighth 
and  ninth  generations.  Of  these,  the  chief  is  George  West  [  1 840], 
who  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  the  City  of 

°  o  ./  George  West 

New  York  (18s 7)  and  the  Columbia  Law  School  (1867), 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  where  he  achieved  success  in  real- 
estate  law.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Title  Guarantee  and  Trust 
Company  of  New  York;  founder  and  first  Secretary  of  the  Hol- 
land Society  of  New  York  and  the  first  Secretary  of  the  Holland 
Trust  Company  of  New  York.  He  married  Sarah  Gregory,  by 
whom  he  has  issue.  Three  years  after  her  death,  in  1901,  he 
married  Grace  C.  Hogarth. 

Arthur,  son  of  George  West,  was  graduated  from  Columbia 
Law  School  [1891]  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar;  Matthew,  his 
other  son,  is  a  senior  at  Amherst.  James  Cornell,  of  the  Reinier 
branch,  was  graduated  from  the  Columbia  Law  School  in  1892. 
Judge  Bennett  Van  Syckel  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  New  Jersey  is 
a  jurist  of  the  highest  rank.  And  John  T.  Van  Sickle,  manager 
of  the  Morgan  S.  S.  line  to  New  Orleans,  is  long  known  for  his 
executive  ability. 

At  the  present  time  the  family  is  represented  by  numerous 
branches  in  the  Empire  State  and  elsewhere.  It  has  members 
at  its  old  homesteads  in  Flatlands,  Gravesend,  and  Brooklyn,  as 
well  as  in  Queens,  Manhattan,  and  the  Bronx.  It  is  uniformly 
marked  by  the  old  Dutch  virtues— patience,  industry,  resolute 
probity,  and  a  deep  love  for  education. 


mUenbell 


237 


XLII 

WENDELL 

►N  the  first  century  of  the  Hudson  River 
settlements,  it  was  rare  for  either 
Knickerbocker  or  Englishman  to  move 
eastward  and  invade  the  sterile  terri- 
tory of  the  Puritan.  To  the  stout 
burghers  of  "New  Amsterdam,  New 
England  was  a  rocky  land  peopled  by 
wild  Indians,  wild  beasts,  and  wilder 
Englishmen,  it  was  rarer  still  for  a 
Dutch  family  to  become  identified 
with  New  England  life,  and  to  attain 
as  much  celebrity  in  Massachusetts 
as  the  main  branch  did  in  New  York.  Yet  this  is  what  occurred 
with  the  great  Dutch  family  of  Wendell,  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished of  the  colonial  stocks  of  the  Empire  State.  Not  alone 
under  their  own  name  did  they  make  history  in  the  Bay  State,  but 
in  their  two  immortal  descendants,  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  and 
Wendell  Phillips,  they  added  two  great  stars  to  the  heavens  of 
American  intellectuality. 

The  founder  of  the  race  in  the  New  World  was  Evert  Janse, 
who  was  born  [1615]  in  the  little  city  of  Embden  in  East  Friesland, 
then  belonging  to  the  Netherlands,  but  now  part  of  the  Evert  janse 
province  of  Aurich,  in  the  kingdom  of  Hanover,  Ger-  ^^^  Pounder 
many.     Embden  was  not  the  home  of  his  race.      Not  many 

years  before,  his  family  had  lived  in  the  district  of  Rhynland  or 

239 


240  Menbell 

Delftland,  from  which  they  fled  to  escape  the  sword  and  rack  of 
the  Duke  of  Alva.  In  Rhy  nland  the  family  owned  several  farms  and 
possessed  considerable  property,  much  if  not  most  of  this  being 
lost  when  they  departed  for  the  North.  Nevertheless,  enough 
remained  to  give  Evert  a  good  education,  and  to  enable  him  in 
1639-1640  to  cross  the  ocean  to  the  New  Netherlands.  He  arrived 
in  1640,  during  the  administration  of  Governor  William  Kieft. 

New  Amsterdam,  though  small,  was  a  busy  community,  with 
galleons  coming  and  going,  and  Indian  traders  arriving  and  depart- 
ing by  both  land  and  water.  Most  of  the  population  were  busy 
upon  farms  or  converting  the  wilderness  into  arable  fields. 
Another  group  were  trading  with  the  redmen,  from  whom  they 
purchased  the  fine  furs  and  peltries  which  were  so  prized  by  the 
nobility  and  the  well-to-do  classes  of  Europe. 

Evert  seems  to  have  been  a  trader  at  first.  Five  years  were 
spent  in  New  Amsterdam,  and  then  he  joined  in  the  prevailing 
movement  of  population  from  Manhattan  Island  to  the  great  Van 
Rensselaer  settlements  around  Fort  Orange.  He  did  not  settle  at 
Rensselaerwyck  proper,  but  made  a  comfortable  home  almost 
under  the  guns  of  Fort  Orange.  He  took  title  to  property,  and 
obtained  a  trading  license,  pursuant  to  the  custom  of  the  period. 
Gifted  with  pleasant  manners  and  a  fine  sense  of  justice,  he 
quickly  became  popular  with  the  sachems,  and  within  a  year  was 
among  the  leading  merchants  of  the  place.  He  won  the  esteem 
of  his  neighbors  at  the  same  time,  who  honored  him  with  many 
positions  of  dignity  and  profit. 

In  1652,  he,  with  other  burghers,  had  a  dispute  with  the  great 
war-horse,  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  Governor  of  the  New  Netherlands. 
The  latter,  a  keen-eyed  soldier,  when  visiting  Fort  Orange  saw 
that  the  houses  around  the  fort  weakened  the  latter  from  a  strate- 
gic point  of  view,  as  they  were  in  the  line  of  gunfire  from  the  fort, 
and  offered  protection  to  an  advancing  enemy.  He,  therefore, 
under  the  provision  of  some  ancient  documents,  claimed  title  to 
all  land  around  the  fort,  for  a  distance  of  250  Dutch  rods,  and 
ordered  the  burghers  to  remove  their  property,  their  homes  to  be 
destroyed,  and  the  land  converted  into  an  open  space,  according 


Ment)cll  241 

to  the  military  tactics  of  the  time.  The  sturdy  burghers,  aided  by 
Evert,  rose  up  in  immediate  protest,  and,  like  their  descendants 
of  to-day,  held  a  mass-meeting,  in  which  they  denounced  the 
Chief  Magistrate  in  round  terms.  A  delegation  was  appointed 
which  waited  upon  the  Governor,  who  so  enjoyed  their  bellig- 
erent attitude  that  he  compromised  the  matter  by  paying  them 
handsomely  for  their  houses  and  improvements,  and  gave  them 
patents  for  land  further  away  from  the  fort,  of  larger  extent  than 
the  farms  which  they  surrendered. 

The  incident  is  a  pleasant  one,  and  shows  both  Governor  and 
colonists  in  very  favorable  light.  Wendell's  new  farm  was  on  the 
south  side  of  the  present  city  of  Albany.  Later  he  removed  to  a 
site  now  the  corner  of  James  and  State  streets.  Here  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  here  his  son  Thomas  lived  in  the 
first  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Among  the  offices  which 
Evert  held  were  ruling  elder  of  the  Dutch  Church  (1656),  Orphan 
Master  (1657),  and  Magistrate  (1660-1661).  Evert  was  twice 
married,  his  first  wife  being  Susanna  de  Trieux,  daughter  of  Philip 
de  Trieux,  the  Marshal  of  the  province;  and  his  second,  Maritje 
Alrahamise  Vosburgh,  of  Beverwyck.    He  had  issue  by  both  wives. 

His  children  inherited  his  tine  appearance  and  unusual  abil- 
ity. Thomas,  the  eldest,  took  as  his  patrimony  the  paternal 
mansion,  where  he  acted  as  a  father  to  his  many  Thomas  the 
nieces  and  nephews.  He  was  never  married,  having,  Hospitable 
according  to  a  family  tradition,  been  jilted  in  young  manhood, 
and  thereupon  become  a  confirmed  misogynist.  His  favorite 
amusement,  tradition  says,  was  to  entertain  a  lot  of  Indian 
friends,  who,  according  to  the  critics  of  the  Dutch  age,  invariably 
grew  "  beastlie  drunken"  at  the  most  interesting  part  of  the 
banquet.  The  fame  of  his  hospitality  crossed  the  seas,  so  that 
nearly  all  newcomers  of  any  social  position  at  home  made  their 
first  visit  upon  "Uncle  Thomas"  at  Albany.  Abraham,  the 
trader  and  soldier,  married  Maryken  Van  Nes  of  Albany.  John 
[1649],  the  third  brother,  married,  first,  Maritie  Jillisse  Meyer,  and, 
secondly,  Elizabeth  Staats,  of  Albany.  Jeronimus  [1655]  married 
Ariaantje  Harmense  Visscher.    Philip  [1657]  married  her  sister, 

VOL.  II. — 16. 


242  Wlen^eU 

Maria  Harmense  Visscher.  Evert,  Jr.  [1660],  married  Elizabeth 
Sanders,  of  Albany.  He  had  one  son  and  two  daughters  by  his 
second  wife. 

Next  to  Abraham,  John  [1649]  was  the  most  conspicuous 
member  of  this  generation.  He  was  a  devout  member  of  the 
John  the  Pub- church  and  received  his  education  from  the  minister, 
lie  Spirited  Manifesting  great  aptitude  for  business,  he  accumu- 
lated a  large  estate,  and  after  arriving  at  the  age  of  thirty,  de- 
voted much  of  his  time  to  public  affairs.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  1684,  captain  in  the  Albany  militia  in  1685,  an  alderman 
in  that  city  the  following  year,  and  in  1690  was  one  of  the  Com- 
mission which  negotiated  a  treaty  with  the  Five  Nations  and 
superintended  the  defence  of  Albany  against  a  threatened  attack 
of  the  sons  of  the  forest.  Both  his  wives  brought  him  large 
fortunes  in  their  own  right,  so  that  in  middle  age  he  was  not 
only  rich  in  money  and  warehouses,  but  also  in  large  tracts  of 
land  in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  in  what  is  now  Saratoga  County, 
and  in  other  districts  of  the  province.  His  daughter  Elsie  mar- 
ried Abraham  Staats,  Jr.,  a  leading  man  of  the  time,  while 
Marritie  married  Jan  Johannse  Oothout  of  Albany. 

The  third  generation  was  marked  by  many  members  of 
unusual  energy  and  ability.  Abraham  [1687],  son  of  John,  re- 
Abrahamthe  Hioved  from  Albany  to  New  York  not  long  after  he 
Merchant  came  of  age,  and  started  a  commercial  house,  which 
grew  to  large  proportions.  He  established  relations  with  promi- 
nent houses  in  Holland,  England,  and  New  England,  and  shipped 
great  quantities  of  furs  to  Europe,  which  netted  him  profits, 
sometimes  of  great  amounts.  He  married  Katrina  De  Kay, 
great-granddaughter  of  Anneke  Jans,  who  brought  him  a  large 
dowry  and  afterwards  a  handsome  fortune  by  inheritance.  His 
mercantile  relations  with  Boston  increasing,  he  established  a 
branch  house  there,  which,  proving  very  remunerative,  caused 
him  to  remove  to  that  city  and  make  it  his  permanent  home. 
John,  of  Here  his  son  John  [1703]  married  Elizabeth  Quincy, 
Boston  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Edmund  Quincy,  and  his  daugh- 

ter Elizabeth  married  Edmund  Quincy,  Jr.     This  founded  the 


Mcnbcll  243 

alliance  between  the  Wendell  and  Quincy  families  which  was  to 
play  an  important  part  in  the  social  history  of  Massachusetts,  and 
reinforce  through  its  wealth  and  prestige  the  influence  of  his 
younger  brother  Jacob  [1691],  who  also  removed  to  the  capital 
of  the  Bay  State. 

This  brother  became  identified  with  "New  England  even  more 
thoroughly  than  did  Abraham.  He  married  Sarah  Oliver  of  Cam- 
bridge, by  whom  he  had  twelve  children.     His  daugh-  „,. 

o    '     J  o  Oliver 

ter  Sarah  married  the  Rev.  Dr.  Abiel  Holmes,  and  their        wendeii 

fourth  child  was  Dr.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  Margaret, 

the  twelfth  child,  married  William  Phillips,  and  their        ^^'.°'!*" 

'  '     '  Phillips 

grandson  was  Wendell  Phillips,  the  reformer  and  orator. 

Hermanns  [1678],  the  son  of  Jeronimus,  was  a  leading  citizen 
of  Albany.  He  was  an  Alderman  (1714-1720),  Indian  Commis- 
sioner (1728-1732),  and  again  an  Alderman  (1726-1727).  Aiderman 
He  incurred  some  opposition  on  account  of  his  strenu-  Hermanus 
ous  endeavors  to  open  roads  into  the  Indian  country.  During 
these  years  there  was  always  a  commercial  conflict  between  the 
trading  element  and  the  governing  element.  The  former  desired 
to  preserve  their  industry,  and  objected  to  any  change  which  would 
decrease  the  supply  of  furs  or  alter  the  modes  of  collection  and  dis- 
tribution. The  latter,  with  an  eye  to  the  development  of  the 
country,  desired  to  clear  the  wilderness  and  construct  roads,  not 
only  for  commerce,  but  also  for  military  purposes,  in  the  event  of 
an  Indian  uprising  or  a  war  with  France. 

Hermanus  married  Anna  Glen,  by  whom  he  had  issue.  He 
was  the  head  of  three  of  the  most  distinguished  lines  or  branches 
of  his  house. 

Ephraim  [1685,  or  1688,  as  is  given  in  some  of  the  records]  was 
a  rich  landowner  and  influential  churchman  of  his  community.  He 
contributed  "  largely  to  the  Gospel,"  and  was  often  an  Ephraim 
officer  in  assemblies,  synods,  and  other  convocations  t^e Eider 
of  his  faith. 

Harmanus  [17 14],  son  of  Hermanus,  was  a  leader  ju^g^ 

of  his  time.  Enjoying  independent  means,  he  devoted  Harmanus 
himself  to  study,  and  to  public  afiairs.    He  was  an  Alderman  at 


244  Mcnbell 

Albany  for  many  years,  and  an  Associate  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  (1752- 1758).  He  was  the  possessor  of  a  fine 
library  in  both  Dutch  and  English,  which  he  generously  put  at 
the  service  of  his  neighbors  and  of  the  lawyers  who  attended 
his  court.  He  married  Catharina  Van  Vechten,  by  whom  he  had 
numerous  children. 

Abraham,  brother  of  Harmanus,  was  enterprising  and  ventur- 
some.  On  coming  of  age  he  moved  to  Schenectady,  from  which 
Captain  hc  is  knowu  in  the  family  records  as  Abraham  of  Schen- 
Abraham  ectady.  Dudug  the  old  French  war  (1744-1748)  he 
was  active  in  organizing  the  military  company  which  was  formed 
in  that  neighborhood  to  resist  any  possible  attack.  He  married 
his  cousin,  Elizabeth  Wendell,  by  whom  he  had  issue. 

Hendrick,  or  Henry,  was  one  of  the  Albany  patriots  who  so 
ably  aided  the  Revolutionary  cause.  As  early  as  1770  he  was  a 
Hendrick  forcible  speaker  against  the  new  imposts  which  had 
the  Sheriff  hetu  laid  upon  the  colonies,  and  the  exasperating  re- 
strictions upon  their  trade.  In  1774,  he  was  one  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety  and  Correspondence  which  was  appointed  by  the  Free- 
holders of  Albany.  Along  with  his  name  upon  the  list  are  those  of 
John  Barclay,  John  R.  Bleecker,  Stephen  de  Lancey,  Abraham  Ten 
Broeck,  Abraham  Yates,  Jr.,  Cornelius  Van  Santvoordt,  John  H. 
Ten  Eyck,  Henry  L.  Bogert,  Jacob  C.  Ten  Eyck,  and  Robert 
Yates.  In  1777,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Albany,  which  office 
he  held  until  1786,  often  acting  as  Provost  Marshal,  as  well 
as  Court  Executive.  He  married  Maria  Lansing,  by  whom  he 
had  issue. 

The  fifth  generation  supplied  many  brave  sons  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. Captain  John  Harmanus  [1744],  son  of  Judge  Harmanus, 
General  was  a  lawyer,  in  active  practice,  when  the  mutterings 
johnH.  Qf  ^i^g  coming  storm  of  war  were  heard.  He  was  a 
warm  friend  and  supporter  of  his  cousin,  Sheriff  Henry,  and  aided 
the  latter  materially  in  the  period  immediately  preceding  the 
Revolution.  He  took  arms  in  177=5,  when  he  was  appointed  lieu- 
tenant and  quartermaster  of  the  Second  Albany  Battalion.  In 
1776,  he  was  promoted  to  be  captain,  and  served  in  the  First  New 


■QGlenbeU  245 

York,  under  Colonel  Goose  Van  Schaick,  until  1781.  After  the 
war  his  gallantry  was  recognized  by  his  appointment  as  brigadier- 
general  of  militia.  In  1796,  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from 
Albany  County,  and,  in  1812,  he  was  made  Surrogate.  His  wife 
was  Cathalina  Van  Benthuysen. 

Lieutenant  Jacob  Henry  [1754],  son  of  Judge  Henry,  had  just 
come  of  age  when  the  Revolution  broke  out.  He  promptly  joined 
the  colonial  forces,  and  fought  with  high  gallantry  Lieutenant 
until  the  restoration  of  peace  in  1783,  having  risen  Jacob  h. 
during  that  period  to  the  rank  of  adjutant.  He  was  thrice  elected 
to  the  New  York  Assembly  (1796,  1797,  1798).  His  wife  was 
Gertrude  Lansing,  daughter  of  the  Honorable  Peter  Lansing. 

Sheriff  Harmanus  [1767I,  son  of  Sheriff  Henry,  was  one  of 
the  wealthy  men  of  Albany  and  devoted  the  larger  sj,„iff 

part  of  his  time  to  public  affairs.  He  served  upon  Harmanus 
many  committees  and  held  numerous  positions  of  honor  and 
trust     He  was  made  Sheriff  in  1803. 

John  [1731]  was  the  scholar  of  the  family.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  Harvard  in  17S0,  and  married  Dorothy  Sherburne.  He 
established  a  branch,  of  which  the  most  important  john 

member  has  been  Professor  Barrett  [1855],  his  great-  the  scholar 
grandson.  The  latter  was  graduated  from  Harvard  (1877),  and 
became  assistant  professor  of  English  literature  and  professor 
thereafter  professor  in  that  university.     He  married  Barrett 

Edith,  the  daughter  of  William  Curtis  Greenough. 

John  Lansing  [1785]  was  the  most  prominent  member  of  the 
sixth  generation.  He  studied  law  with  his  brother  Garritt  V/en- 
dell,  a  distinguished  real-estate  lawyer  of  the  time,  and  john  l. 
became  a  member  of  the  Albany  bar.  He  was  elected  the  jurist 
judge  of  Washington  County  for  one  term,  but  made  his  fame  as 
a  reporter  of  the  New  York  Supreme  Court.  His  great  works 
are  Reports  of  Cases  in  the  Supreme  Court  (twenty-six  volumes), 
and  the  Digest  of  Cases,  Supreme  Court  of  New  York.  He  also 
edited  Starkie's  Law  of  Slander  and  Blackstone's  Commentaries 
with  rare  judicial  ability. 

Dr.  Peter,  son  of  Adjutant  Jacob  Henry,  was  a  distinguished 


246  Mcnbell 

physician  of  Albany  in  the  early  part  of  the  century.     From  him 
has  descended  an  important  branch,  which  included 

Dr  Peter 

Dr.  Harman  and  Benjamin  Rush,  his  sons,  and  Burr 
and  Benjamin  Rush,  jr.,  grandsons.  The  last-named  was  gradu- 
ated from  Yale  (1878),  and  from  the  Columbia  Law  School  (1882). 

Harmanus  C.  [1781]  was  a  landed  proprietor  who  inherited 
fortunes  from  both  his  father,  Cornelius  [1745],  and  his  grand- 
father, Hermanus  [17 14].  He  was  a  magistrate  for  twenty  years, 
Judge  ^nd  an  active  participant  in  public  affairs  during  his 

Harmanus  c.  entire  life.  His  wife  was  Cathalina  Hun.  He  is  repre- 
sented in  the  seventh  generation  by  William,  who  married,  first, 
Sarah  Kip,  and,  second,  Frances  Roberts. 

The  sixth  generation  from  Evert,  Junior,  was  represented  by 
William  Henry,  of  Ballston  Spa,  N.  Y.  To  him  the  public  is  par- 
wiiiiara  ti^'ly  indebted  for  the  development  of  that  beautiful 
"«"^  community.     He  was  for  many  years  supervisor  and  a 

member  of  many  progressive  local  organizations.  He  married 
Anna  Melvin. 

From  Abraham  [1791],  of  the  Harmanus  branch,  came  the 
members  of  the  family  who  were  the  pioneers  of  Kansas,  Michi- 
gan, Minnesota,  and  Wisconsin.  They  were  stanch  free-soilers^ 
and  carried  into  the  West  the  public  schools  and  the  liberal 
Colonel  l^ws  of  the  Empire  State.  This  branch  supplied 
Adalbert  c.  Adclbert  Chauncey  [1848]  to  the  Union  Army,  where 
he  made  a  brilliant  record,  closing  his  military  career  as  a  staff 
officer  of  Major-General  Granger.  The  branch  was  represented 
in  the  ninth  generation  by  William  Fuller  [1873],  who  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  University  of  Minnesota  in  1892. 

The  career  of  the  Wendells  in  both  Massachusetts  and  New 
York  has  been  marked  by  business  ability,  intellectuality,  social 
grace,  and  patriotism.  They  have  served  in  every  conflict,  from 
the  old  French  wars  to  the  late  struggle  with  Spain.  Their  sons 
are  upon  the  rolls  of  the  great  universities,  and  their  names  are 
found  in  the  lists  of  eminent  lawyers,  writers,  scientists,  and 
pedagogues. 


INDEX 


Abeel  (Beekman),  Magdalene,  i.,  29 
Abercrombie,  Colonel,  i.,  25 
Alburtis  (Barclay),  Louisa,  i.,  29 
Alexander  (Duer),  Lady  Catharine,  i.,  129 

—  William  (General),  i.,  129 
Allen,  iVlargaret  De  Lancey,  i.,  95 
Allen,  William,  i.,  95 

Allyn  (Gardiner),  Elizabeth,  i.,  149 
Alsop,  John,  i.,  69 
Ames,  Fisher,  i,,  140 
Andrews,  W.  (Rev.),  i.,  16 
Anthon  (Fish),  Marion  G.,  i.,  142 
Armstrong  (Astor),  Margaret,  i.,  7 
Ashdoer,  i.,  5 

Ashton  (De  Peyster),  Frances,  i.,  111 
Aspinwall  (Renwick),  Anna  L.,  ii.,  88 

—  William  H.,  ii.,  88 
Astor,  Ava  Willing,  i.,  9 

—  Battery,  i.,  9 

—  &  Broadwood,  !.,  5 

—  Charlotte  A.  Gibbes,  i.,8 

—  (Langdon)  Dorothea,  i.,  5 

—  Eliza,  i.,  5 

—  Family,  i.,  3-10 

—  Henry,  i.,  4 

—  House,  i.,  7 

—  Jacob,  i.,  3 

—  John  Jacob,  the  founder,  i.,  3,  38 

—  John  Jacob  111.,  i.,  8 

—  John  Jacob  IV.,  i.,  9 

—  Laces  in  Metropolitan  Museum,  i.,  8 

—  Library,  i.,  7 

—  (Bristed)  Magdalen,  i.,  5 

—  Margaret  A.  Armstrong,  i.,  7 

—  Mary  D.  Paul,  i.,  8 

—  Military  Company,  i.,  9 

—  Regiment,  i.,  9 

—  William,  i.,  8,  9 

—  William  Backhouse,  !.,  5 

—  William  Waldorf,  i.,  8 


B 


Baker  (Delafield),  Ann,  !.,  84 

Baldwin  (De  Peyster),  Christianna,  i.,  109 

Bancker  (De  Peyster),  Anna,  i  ,  105 

—  —  Mary,  i.,  105 
Barber  (Delafield),  Elsie,  i.,  85 
Barclay,  Adelbert  E.  E.  W.,  i.,  20 

—  (Robinson)  Anna  D.,  i.,  19 

—  Anna  M.,  i. ,  20 

—  Anthony,  i.,  19 

—  Anthony,  i.,  20 

—  Catherine  Cochrane,  i.,  20 

—  (De  Lancey)  Cornelia,  i.,  19,  97 

—  Cuthbert  (Rev.),  i.,  20 

—  David  (Colonel)  the  founder,  i.,  13 

—  David,  i.,  16 

—  Dentie  Lent,  i.,  19 

—  Fanny,  i.,  21 

—  Frederick  W.,  i.,  20 

—  George,  i.,  20 

—  Harold,  i.,  21 

— ■  Henry  (Rev.),  i.,  16 

—  Henry,  i.,  20,  21 

—  Henry  A.,  i.,  20 

—  Henry  A.  W.,  i.,  20 

—  House,  the,  i.,  16 

—  James  L.,  1.,  20 

—  John,  i.,  16 

—  John  O'C,  i.,  20 

—  J.  Searle,  i.,  20 

—  J.  Searle,  i.,  21 

—  Mary  Rutgers,  i.,  ig 

—  (Rives)  Matilda  A.,  i.,  20 

—  Olivia  Mott  Bell,  i.,  20 

—  Robert  (Governor),  i.,  15 

—  Robert  C,  I.,  21 

—  Sackett  M.,  i.,  20 

—  Susan  De  Lancey,  i.,  19,  97 

—  Thomas  (Colonel),  i.,  19,97 

—  Thomas  (Rev.),  i.,  16 

—  Thomas  (Captain),  ',.,  20 


247 


248 


llnbci: 


Barclay,  Thomas  III.,  i.,  20 

—  Walter  C,  i.,  20 

—  Wright,  i.,  21 
Bard  (Delafield),  Eliza,  i.,83 

—    William,  i.,  8) 
Barnwell  (Cruger),  Mary,  i.,  73 
Bayre  (Fish),  Clemence  S. ,  i.,  141 
Beam,  Catherine  A.,  i.,  131 

—    John,  i.,  131 
Beasley  (Delafield),  Margaretta,  1.,  85 
Bedlow  (Beekman),  Mary  E.  C,  i.,  31 
Beekman,  Abian  Steele  Milledoler,  i.,  32 

—  (De  Peyster)  Ann,  i.,  109 

—  Catherine  B.,  i.,  32 

—  Catherine  Peters  de  la  Noy,  i.,  29 

—  Catherine  Sanders,  i.,  31 

—  Catherine  Van  Boogh,  i.,  28 

—  Cornelia,  i.,  32 

—  Cornelius,  i.,  26 

—  Elizabeth  de  Peyster,  i. ,  29 

—  Family,  !.,  25 

—  Gerard,  the  scholar,  i.,  26 

—  Gerard  (Dr.),  i.,  28 

—  Gerard,  i.,  31 

—  Gerard,  i.,  32 

—  Gerardus,  i.,  29 

—  Gerard  W.,  i.,  31 

—  Gertruyd  Van  Cortlandt,  i.,  29 

—  Henry  (Colonel),  i.,  28 

—  Henry  11.  (Colonel),  i.,29 

—  Henry  R.,  i.,  32 

—  Henry  R.  11.,  i.,  32 

—  Isabella  Lawrence,  i.,  32 

—  Jacobus,  i.,  29 

—  Jacobus,  i.,  29 

—  James,  i.,  30 

—  James  William,  i.,  31 

—  James  William  II.,  i.,  32 

—  Jane  Keteltas,  i.,31 

—  Janet  Livingstone,  i.,  29 

—  Joanna  de  Loper,  i.,  29 

—  John,  i.,  29 

—  John,  i.,31 

—  Josephine,  i.,  32 

—  Magdalene  Abeel,  i.,  29 

—  (Livingston)  Margaret,  i.,  30 

—  Mary  Duyckink,  i.,  31 

—  Mary  E.,  i.,32 

—  Mary  E.  G.  Bedlow,  i.,  31 

—  Street,  i.,  27 

—  Swamp,  i.,  27 

—  Wilhelmus,  the  founder,  i.,  25 

—  William  (Dr.),  i.,  29 

—  William  F.,  i.,  32 
Bell  (Barclay),  Olivia  M.,  !.,  20 
Bellomont,  Governor,  i.,  28 
Benjamin,  Julia  K.  Fish,  i.-,  141 


Benjamin,  Samuel  N.  (Colonel)  i.,  141 
Benson,  Dirck,  i.,  117 

—  (Duane)  Eve,  I.,  117 

Berkeley  (original  or  older  form  of  Barclay),  i.,  13 

—  Lord,  i.,  15 

Blair  (Cruger),  Elizabeth,  i.,  71 
Blake,  John  L.  (Rev.),  i.,  45 
Blealsley  (Cruger),  R.  A.,  i.,  74 
Bleecker,  Jan.,  ii.,  106 

—  Margaret  Rutgers,  ii.,  106 
Bogart  (Delafield),  Anita,  i.,  85 
Boke,  Jaquemyntje,  i.,  38 
Bowers  (Duane),  Marianne,  i.,  123 
Bowne,  Robert,  i.,  4,  5 

Boyd,  Harriet  Delafield,  i.,  85 

—  Robert,  i.,  85 
Breck,  Charles  D.,  i.,  132 

—  Mary  Duer,  i.,  132 
Brevoort,  Annetje  Bastiaense,  i.,  37 

—  Catherine  Delamater,  i.,  39 

—  (Hicks)  Charlotte,  i.,  39 

—  Elizabeth  Dorothea  Lefferts,  i.,  41 

—  Elizabeth  Schermerhorn,  i.,  42 

—  Family,  i.,  35 

—  Hendrick  Jansen,  i.,  35 

—  Hendrick  11.,  i.,  37 

—  Hendrick  111.,  i.,  39 

—  Henry  i.,  39 

—  Henry  II.,  i.,  39 

—  Henry  (Captain),  i.,  40 

—  Henry  Leffert,  i.,  42 

—  James  Carson,  i.,  41 

—  James  Renwick,  i.,  42 

—  Jan  Hendricksen,  i.,  37 

—  John,  the  goldsmith,  i.,  39 

—  (Bristed)  Laura,  i.,  42 

—  Mary  Ren  Van  Couwenhoven,  i.,  37 

—  (Astor)  Sarah  Todd,  i.,  38 

—  Sarah  Whetten,  i.,  39 
Briggs  (Cornill),  Rebecca,  i.,  56 
Bristed,  John  (Rev.),  i.,  5 

—  Margaret  Astor,  i.,  5 
Broadwood  (Astor  &),  i.,  3 

Brogan  (De  Peyster),  Elizabeth  i.,  109 
Brooks  (Delafield),  Anna  O.,  i.,  85 

—  Frederick  W.,  i.,  85 
Buchanan,  Thomas,  i.,  61) 
Bunner  (Duer),  Anna  B.,  i.,  131 

—  George,  i.,  131 
Burgwm,  J.  Pollock,  i.,  21 
Burke,  Edmund,  i.,  70 
Burns,  Robert,  i.,  108 
Burr,  Aaron,  i.,  49 


Carrick  (Barclay),  Lavinia,  i.,  20 
Carter  (Cruger),  Sarah  E.,  i.,  74 


1In&ey 


249 


Carteret,  Sir  George,  i.,  i? 
Chandler  (Gardiner),  Sarah,  i.,  149 
Chew,  Beverly,  i.,  130,  131 

—  (Duer)  Lucy,  i.,  131 

—  Maria  T.  Duer,  i.,  130 
Church  (Cruger),  Catherine,  i.,  173 
Clark,  Joseph,  i.,  132 

—  (Duer)  Josephine,  i.,  152 

—  Wilhelmina  B,  De  Lancey,  i.,  98 
Clarkson,  Alice  Delafield,  i.,  84 

—  Howard,  i.,  84 

—  (De  Peyster)  Susan  M.,  i.,  111 
Clinton,  Alexander,  i.,  46 

—  Alexander  (Dr.),  i.,  52 

—  Alexander  James,  i.,  52 

—  Catherine  Jones,  i.,  52 

—  Charles,  i.,  45,  46 

—  Charles,  son  of  James,  i.,  49 

—  Cornelia  Tappan,  i.,  49 

—  De  Witt;  1.,  48,  49,  50-52 

—  Elizabeth  Denniston,  i.,  46 

—  Family,  i.,  45 

—  George  (Admiral,)  i.,  93 

—  George  (Governor),  i.,  31,  45,  47-49 

—  George,  Jr.,  i.,  49 

—  Henry,  Sir,  i.,  45 

—  James  (Brig.-General),  i.,  45,  46,  121 

—  Mary  De  Witt,  i.,  47 

—  Maria  Franklin,  i.,  52 

—  Mary  Little  Gray,  i.,  47 

—  Spencer,  i.,  52 

—  William,  i.,  45 
Clive,  Lord,  i.,  127 

Cochran  (Barclay),  Cornelia,  i.,  20 
Colden,  Cadwallader  (Governor),  i.,  94 

—  Elizabeth  De  Lancey,  i.,  94 
College,  Columbia,  i.,  17,  18 

—  Kings,  i.,  17,  18 
Colles,  Christopher,  i.,  49 

Collet  (Barclay),  Ann  Wilkes,  i.,  20 
Cook,  Anna  L.  Delafield,  i.,  85 

—  William  G.,  i.,  85 
Cooper,  Susan  A.  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 

—  James  Fenimore,  i.,  97 
Combury,  Governor,  i.,  28 
Cornehill    (for  Cornell),  i.,  55 
Cornewall    "         "        i.,  55 
Cornewell    "         "        i.,  55 
Cornell,  Abigail  B.  Hicks,  i.,  59 

—  Alonzo  B.  (Governor),  i.,  57,  61,  62 

—  Charity  Hicks,  i.,  57 

—  Chjtles,  i.,  59 

—  Edward  Everett  (Dr.),  i.,  62 

—  Ezekiel  (General),  i.,  58 

—  Ezra,  i.,  57,  59,  60 

—  Family  of,  i.,  55,  56,  6} 

—  George,  i.,  59 


Cornell,  George,  brother  of  John  Black,  i.,  60 

—  George  Birdsall,  engineer,  i.,  63 

—  Isaac  Russell,  i.,  60 

—  Jacob,  1.,  59 

—  Jacob  Stiuirc,  i.,  57 

—  James  LeiTerts  (Dr.),  i,,  63 

—  John  (Colonel),  i.,  57 

—  John  (Lieutenant),  i.,  58 

—  John,  evangelist,  i.,  62 

—  John,  merchant,  i.,  59 

—  John  Black,  inventor,  i.,  60,  61 

—  Jolm  Henry,  composer,  i.,  62 

—  John  M.,  philanthropist,  i.,  62 

—  Mary  Katherine  Osterburg,  i.,  62 

—  Rebecca  Briggs,  i.,  56 

—  Richard  (Deputy),  i.,  56,  57 

—  Richard  II.,  i.,  57 

—  Robert  Clifford  (Judge),  i.,  63 

—  Sarah  Cortilyou,  i.,  61 

—  Thomas,  i.,  56 

—  Thomas,  of  Portsmouth,  i.,  56 

—  Thomas  [1620?]  i.,  57 

—  Thomas  (Squire),  i.,  S7 

—  Thomas  (Assemblyman),  i.,  57 

—  Thomas  (Captain),  i.,  58 

—  Thomas,  inventor,  i.,  59 

—  William,  i.,  56 

—  William  (Captain),  i.,  57 

—  William  W.,  manufacturer,  i.,  6» 

—  William  Mason  (Dr.),  i.,  61 

—  Whitehead,  i.,  58 

—  Whitehead  II.,  i.,  59 
Cornhill  (for  Cornell),  i.,  55 
Comill      "        "        i.,  55 
Cornwall  "        "        i.,  55 
Cornwallis,  Lord,  i.,  46 

Corn  well  (for  Cornell),  i.,  SS,  56 
Cortilyou,  Sarah,  i,  01 
Couwenhoven,  Johannes,  i.,  37 
—  Maryken,  i.,  37 

Covington,  E.  M.,  i.,  83 

—  General,  i.,  83 

—  (Delafield)  Harriet  B.,  i.,  83 
Cox,  Ann  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 

—    John,  i.,  97 

Cressen  (Cruger),  Henrietta,  i.,  71 
Cromwell,  Oliver,  i.,  14 
Crosby,  Frederic  V.  S.,  i.,  85 

—  Julia  R.  F.  Delafield,  i.,  85 
Cruger,  Alfred,  i  ,  73 

—  Ann  Markoe,  i.,  72 

—  Ann  Trezevant  Heyward,  i.,  73 

—  Anna  de  Nully,  i.,  72 

—  Anne  de  Lancey,  i. ,  70 

—  Bertram  Peter,  i.,  73 

—  Bertram,  i.,  74 

—  Caroline  M.  Shepherd,  i. ,  74 


250 


lln&ey 


Cruger,  Caroline  Smith,  i.,  71 

—  Catherine  Church,  i. ,  73 

—  Eliza  Kortrighf,  i. ,  75 

—  Eliza  L.  C.  Dyckman,  i.,  73 

—  Elizabeth  Blair,  i.,  71 

—  Elizabeth  Harris,  i.,  69 

—  Elizabeth  Roberts,  i.,  73 

—  Elizabeth  Van  Schaack,  i.,  70 

—  Euphemia  W.  Van  Rensselaer,  i.,  73 

—  Eugene,  i.,  7; 

—  Eugene  [1836]  i.,  74 

—  Family,  i.,  67,  75 

—  Frances  A.  Jones,  !.,  73 

—  Frances  E.  Rusher,  i.,  75 

—  George  Ehninger,  i. ,  74 

—  George  Seymour,  i.,  73 

—  Gouverneur,  (Rev.),  !.,  74 

—  Hannah  Slaughter  Montgomery,  i.,  69 

—  Henry  Cressen,  i.,  72 

—  Henry  (Councillor),  i.,  69 

—  Henry  11.,  the  M.P.,  i.,  70-71,  72 

—  Henry  III.,  i.,  73 

—  Henrietta  Cressen,  i.,  70 

—  Henry  Harris,  i.,  72 

—  Henry  IVlortimer,  i.,  75 

—  Henry  Nicholas,  i.,  73 

—  Henrietta  Julia,  i.,  73 

—  Harris  [1795]  i.,  73 

—  Harriet,  i.,  73 

—  Harriet  D.,  i,,  73 

—  James  Hamilton,  i.,  73 

—  James  Henderson,  i.,  75 

—  John,  the  founder,  i.,  68 

—  John  Church,  i.,  7-) 

—  John  Harris  (Colonel),  i.,  70,  72,  94 

—  John,  the  merchant,  i.,  72 

—  John  Peach,  i.,  73 

—  John  Whetten,  i.,  7s 

—  Julia  Grinnell  Storrow,  i.,  75 

—  Laura  A.,  i.,  74 

—  Lewis  Trezevant,  i.,  73 

—  Louise  E.  Ancrum  Williamson,  i.,  73 

—  Mary,  i.,  69 

—  Mary  Barnwell,  1.,  73 

—  Mary  Boynton,  i.,  75 

—  Maria  Cuyler,  i.,  69 

—  Mary  Romaine,  i.,  75 

—  Martha  Ramsay,  i.,  72 

—  Matilda  Caroline,  i.,  72 

—  Melville  Wood,  i.,  73 

—  Melvin  S.,  i.,  74 

—  Nicholas,  i.,  71 

—  Nicholas,  Jr.,  i.,  75 

—  Nicholas  III.,  i.,  73,  74 

—  Nicholas  IV.,  i.,  73,  75 

—  Nicholas  V.,  i.,  75 

—  Peter  Cornee,  i.,  75 


Cruger,  Philip,  Sir,  i.,  08 

—  Randolph,  i.,  74 

—  Robert,  i.,  74 

—  R.  A.  Blealsley,  i.,  74 

—  Sarah  E.  Carter,  i.,  74 

—  Sarah  J.  Maxwell,  i,,  73 

—  Stephen    Van   Rensselaer,   (Colonel),    i., 

74,  75 

—  Susan  Matilda  Whetten  Rathbone,  i.,  73 

—  Telemon,  i.,  71 

—  William  Hyde,  i.,  73 

—  William  R.,  i.,  75 
Cuyler  (Cruger),  Maria,  i.,  69 


Davenport,  John  (Rev.),  i.,  146 

De  Kay  (De  Peyster),  Frances,  !.,  109 

Delafield,  Albert,  i.,  84 

—  (Clarkson)  Alice,  i.,  84 

—  Anita  Bogart,  i.,  85 

—  Anna  Baker,  i.,  84 

—  Anne  S.  Lloyd,  i.,  85 

—  Ann  Hallet,  i.,  80 

—  (Cook)  Anna  L.,  i.,  85 

—  Annie  O.  Brooks,  i.,  85 

—  Benjamin  T.,  i.,  85 

—  (Hall)  Catherine  C,  i.,  84 

—  Charlotte  H.  Wyeth,  i.,  85 

—  Clara  C.  Foster,  i.,  84 

—  Clarence,  i.,  83 

—  Clarence  II.,  i.,  85 

—  (Sturgis)  Cornelia,  i.,  84 

—  (Woodbury)  Cornelia,  i.,  85 

—  Cornelia  V.  R.,  i.,  85 

—  (Krebben)  Edith,  i.,  84 

—  Edith  Wallace,  i.,  83 

—  Edward,  i.,  82 

—  Edward,  i.,  84 

—  Edward,  i.,  8s 

—  Edward  Joseph,  i.,  85 

—  Elinor  E.  Langdon,  i.,  82 

—  Eliza  Bard,  i.,  8; 

—  Eliza  Bard  II.,  i.,  85 

—  Eliza  Paine,  i.,  83 

—  Elizabeth,  i.,  85 

—  Elizabeth  Breese,  i.,  85 

—  Elizabeth  B.  Moran,  i.,  84 

—  Elizabeth  Ray,  i.,  85 

—  Elizabeth  Schuchardt,  i,  84 
Elsie  Barber,  i.,  85 

—  Emily  Prime,  i.,  83 

—  Eugene  C,  i.,  85 

—  Family,  i.,  79 

—  Royd,  i.,  84 

—  Francis,  i.,  84 

—  Frederick,  i.,  85 


llnDcy 


251 


Delafield,  Frederick  Prime,  i.,  85 

—  (Boyd)  Harriet,  1.,  85 

—  Harriet  Baldwin,  i.,  83 

—  Harriet  Cecil,  i.,  84 

—  Harriet  Coleman,  i,,  85 

—  Harriet  W.  TallmaJge,  i.,  81 

—  Helen  Summers,  i.,  8} 

—  Henry,  i.,  82 

—  Henry  Parish,  i.,  84 

—  John,  the  founder,  i.,  79,  80 

—  John  II.,  i.,  81 

—  John  III.,  i.,  8? 

—  John  IV.,  i.,  84 

—  Joseph  (Major),  i.,  81 

—  Julia,  i.,  }0 

—  (Longfellow)  Julia,  i.,  85 

—  Julia  Floyd,  i.,  82 

—  Julia  Floyd  II.,  i.,  84 

—  Julia  Livingston,  i.,  82 

—  Julia  Livingston  II.,  i.,  83 

—  Julia  R.  F.,  i.,  8s 

—  Katherine  Floyd,  i.,  84 

—  Katherine  Van  Rensselaer,  i.,  84 

—  Lettice  L.  Sands,  i.,  85 

—  Lewis  Livingston,  i.,  85 

—  Lewis  Livingston  II.,  i.,  85 

—  Lizzie  H.  Kamp,  i.,  84 

—  Louisa  Eaton,  i.,  84 

—  Louisa  Potter,  i.,  8j 

—  Margaretta  Beasley,  i.,  85 

—  Marguerite  M.  Dewey,  i.,  84 

—  Mary,  1.,  85 

—  (Sturgis)  Mary,  i.,  84 

—  (Dubois)  Mary  Ann,  i.,  83 

—  Mary  C.  Livingston,  i.,  83 

—  (Neely)  Mary  Floyd,  i.,  83 

—  Mary  P.  Munson,  i.,  82 

—  Mary  Roberts,  i.,  81 

—  Maturin  Livingston,  i.,  83 

—  Maturin  Livingston  II.,  i.,  85 

—  Nina  M.,  i.,  85 

—  Richard,  i.,  82 

—  Richard,  i.,  84 

—  Robert  Hare,  !.,  85 

—  Rufus,  i.,  85 

—  Rufus  King,  i.,  85 

—  Tallmadge,  i.,  83 

—  Tallmadge  II.,  i.,  84 

—  Wallace,  i.,  84 

—  Walter,  i.,  84 

—  William,  i.,  82 
Delamater  (Brevoort),  Catherine,  i.,  29 
De  Lancey,  Alice  Izard,  i.,  97 

—  (Cruger),  Ann,  1.,  70 

—  Anne  Van  Cortlandt,  i.,  91 

—  Anna,  i.,  95 

—  Anne,  i.,  92 


De  Lancey,  Anne  C,  i.,  97 

—  Anne  Cox,  i.,  97 

—  Anne  Heathcote,  i.,  93 

—  Cornelia  Barclay,  i.,  97 

—  Edward  Etienne,  civil  engineer,  i.,  98 

—  Edward  Floyd  [1795],  i.,  97 

—  Edward  Floyd  [1821],  i.,  97,  98 

—  Elizabeth  C,  i.,  94 

—  Elizabeth  E.  H.,  i.,  98 

—  Elizabeth  F.,  i.,  96 

—  Etienne  (Stephen),  i.,  91,  92 

—  Family,  i.,8(),  90,  98 

—  Frances  Jay  Munro,  i.,  97 

—  Guy  (Vicomte),  i.,  90,  91 

—  Hannah  S.,  i.,  95 

—  Jacques  (Seigneur),  i.,  91 

—  Jacques  II.  (Seigneur),  i.,  91 

—  James  (Judge),  i.,  92,  93,  94 

—  James  II.,  i.,  95 

—  Jane,  i-i  97 

—  John,  i.,  94 

—  John,  i.,  95 

—  John  Peter,  i.,  95,  97 

—  John  Peter  II.,  i.,  98 

—  John  [1741]!.,  96 

—  Josephine,  i.,  98 

—  Martha,  !.,  95 

—  Margaret  A.,  i.,  95 

—  Margaret  M.,  1.,  98 

—  Mary,  i.,  95 

—  Mary  E.,  i.,  97 

—  Oliver  (General),  i.,  94,  95 

—  Oliver  (Lieutenant),  i.,  96 

—  Oliver,  i.,  97 

—  Peter,  i.,  94 

—  Peter,  i.,  96,  97 

—  Phila  Franks,  i.,  94 

—  Stephen  (Etienne)  the  founder,  i.,  91, 

92 

—  Stephen  II.,  i.,  95 

—  Stephen  (Captain),  i.,  95 

—  Stephen  [1740],  i.,  96 

—  Stephen  [1748],  i.,  97 

—  Susan,  i.,  92 

—  Susan  Augusta,  i.,  97 

—  Susannah,  daughter  of  Chief  Justice, 

i,  95 

—  Susannah,  daughter  of  Peter,  i.,  97 

—  Thomas  J.,  i.,  97 

—  Thomas  J.  (II.),  i.,  97 

—  Warren,  i.,  96 

—  Wilhelmina,  V.  C,  i.,  98 

—  William  Heathcote  (Bishop),  i.,  97 

—  William  Heathcote  II.,  i.,  98 

—  William  Howe  (Sir),  i.,  97 

De  la  Noy  (Beekman),  Catherine  Peters,  i.,  29 
Denning  (Duer),  Hannah,  i.,  130 


252 


Inbey 


Denning,  William,  i.,  130 
Denniston  (Clinton),  Elizabeth,  i.,  46 

De  Nully,  Anna,  i.,  72 
De  Peyster,  Abraham  (Captain),  i.,  109 

—  Abraham  (Judge),  i.,  105,  104,  105 

—  Abraham  (Treasurer),  i.,  105,  106 

—  Abraham  [1742],  i.,  100 

—  Abraham  [1753],  i.,  109 

—  Ann,  i.,  ioq 

—  Ann  B.,  i.,  109 

—  Anna  Bancker,  i.,  105 

—  Anna  Schuyler,  i.,  106 

—  Arent  Schuyler,  i.,  108 

—  Arent  11.,  i.,  109,  1 10 

—  Augusta  McEvers,  i.,  112 

—  Augustus  (Captain),  i.,  110,  ill 

—  Berthick  H.,  i.,  109 

—  Catharina,  i.,  105 

—  Catharine  L.,  i.,  109 

—  Catharine  Schuyler,  i.,  106 

—  Christina  B.,  i.,  109 

—  Cornelia  Lubbertse,  i.,  102 

—  Cornelius  [1673],  i.,  105 

—  Elizabeth  B.,  i.,  29 

—  Elizabeth  Brogan,  i,,  109 

—  Elizabeth  Henry,  i.,  109 

—  Elizabeth  Rutgers,  i.,  109 

—  Estelle  Livingston,  i.,  112 

—  Family,  i.,  1 13 

—  Frances  De  Kay,  i.,  109 

—  Frances  Goodhue  Ashton,  i.,  111 

—  Frederick,  i.,  106 

—  Frederick  (Captain),  i.,  109,  111 

—  Frederick  J.,  i.,  112 

—  Frederick  the  Marquis,  i.,  107 

—  Gerard,  i.,  106 

—  Gerard  [1737],  i.,  109 

—  Helen  Hake,  i.,  109 

—  Henry,  i.,  1 13 

—  Isaac,  merchant,  i.,  105 

—  Jane  Jansen,  i.,  109 

—  James  [1745],  '■,  "09 

—  James  [1757],  i.,  109 

—  James  Abraham  (Colonel),  i.,  107 

—  James  Ferguson,  i.,  111 

—  Johannes  (Renteneer),  i.,  102,  103 

—  Johannes  II.,  i.,  105,   107 

—  Johannes  (Captain),  i.,  106 

—  John  [1731],  i.,  109 

—  John  J.  [1781],  i.,  1 13 

—  John  Watts  (Major-General),  i.,  112, 

■13 

—  John  Watts  [1841],  i.,  113 

—  Johnston  Livingston,  i.,  113 

—  Joseph  Reade,  i.,  109 

—  Julia  Ann  Toler,  i.,  1 13 

—  Margaret  K.,  i.,  107 


De  Peyster,  Margaret  Van  Cortlandt,  !.,  106 

—  Maria  Antoinette  Kane  Hone,  i.,  111 

—  Mary  Bancker    i.,  105 

—  Mary  Justine  Watts,  i.,  in 

—  Mary  Livingston,  i.,  113 

—  Mary  O.,  i.,  107 

—  Mary  Van  Baal,  i.,  105 

—  Nicholas,  i.,  109 

—  Pierre  Cortlandt,  i.,  113 

—  Pierre  Guilliaume  [1707],  i,,  106-108 

—  Pierre  Guilliaume  II.,  i.,  109 

—  Richard  Varick,  i.,  1 13 

—  Robert  Gilbert  Livingston,  i.,  113 

—  Sarah  R.,  i.,  107 

—  Susan  Maria  C,  i.,  111 

—  William,  i.,  109 

—  William  [1735],  i.,  109 

—  William  [1792],  i.,   1 13 
Defrich,  George,  i.,  4 

Dewey  (Delafield),  Marie,  i.,  84 
De  Witt  (Clinton),  Mary,  i.,  47 
De  Zeng,  Josephine  M.  De  Lancey,  i. ,  98 

—  William  S.,  i.,  98 
D'Hauteville,  Elizabeth  S.  Fish,  i.,  141 

—  Frederick  S.  G.,  i.,  141 

Douglass  (Barclay),  Grace,  i.,  20 

—  (Cruger),  Harriet,  i.,  73 
Drawyer,  Andrew  (Admiral),  i.,  16 

—  (Barclay)  Anna  D.,  i.,  16 
Duane,  Abraham,  i.,  123 

—  (Pell)  Adelia,  i.,  123 

—  Althea  Keteltas,  i.,  118 

—  Anthony,  the  founder,  i.,  117 

—  Cornelius,  i.,  123 

—  Eve  Benson,  i.,  117 

—  Family,  i.,  117 

—  James,  i.,  1 18 

—  James  Chatham,  I.,  i.,  123 

—  James  Chatham,  II.,  i.,  124 

—  John,  i.,  123 

—  (North)  Maria,  i.,  123 

—  Maria  Livingston,  i.,  1 19 

—  Marianne  Bowers,  i.,  123 

—  (Feathstonhaugh)  Sarah,  !.,  123 
Du  Bois,  Cornelius,  i.,  S3 

—  (Delafield)  Mary  A.,  i.,  83 
Duer,  Alexander,  i.,  131 

—  (Irving)  Anna  H.,  i.,  131 

—  Anna  Van  Buren,  i.,  132 

—  Anne  B,  Bunner,  i.,  131 

—  Beverly  Chew,  i.,  132 

—  Caroline  King,  i.,  131 

—  Catharine  Alexander,  i.,  129 

—  (Beam)  Catherine  A.,  i.,  131 

—  Catherine  Robinson,  i.,  131 

—  Denning,  i.,  132 

—  (Smith)  Catherine,  i.,  132 


Ilnbcj: 


25: 


Duer,  Edward  Alexander,  i.,  132 

—  (Wilson)  Eleanor  J.,  i.,  131 

—  (King)  Elizabeth  D.,  i.,  131 

—  Elizabeth  Mead,  i.,  132 

—  Ellen  Travers,  i.,  132 

—  Family,  i.,  127 

—  (Robinson)  Frances,  i.,  130 

—  (Hoyt)  Frances  M.,  i.,  131 

—  George  Wickham,  i.,  131 

—  Georgiana  Huyler,  1.,  131 

—  Hannah  M.  Denning,  i.,  130 

—  (Robinson)  Henrietta,  i.,  130 

—  (Gedney)  Henrietta,  i.,  131 

—  James  Gore  King,  i.,  132 

—  John,  i.,  I  30 

—  John  11.,  i.,  132 

—  John  Beverly,  i.,  132 

—  John  King,  i.,  131 

—  Josephine  Clark,  i.,  153 

—  Lady  Catharine,  i.,  129 

—  Lady  Kitty,  i.,  129 

—  Louise  Suydam,  i.,  132 

—  Lucy  Chew,  i.,  131 

—  (Chew)  Maria  T.,  i.,  T30 

—  Maria  Westcott,  i.,  131 

—  (Breck)  Mary,  i.,  132 

—  Mary  A.  Hamilton,  i.,  132 

—  Rufus  King,  i.,  132 

—  (Smith)  Sarah,  i.,  130 

—  Sarah  Du  Pont,  i.,  132 

—  Sophia  Lawrence,  i.,  132 

—  William  (Judge),  i.,  131 

—  William  the  founder,  i.,  127,  133 

—  William  111.,  i.,  132 

—  William  Alexander  11.,  i.,  132 

—  William  Denning,  i.,  131 
Du  Pont  Henry,  i.,  132 

—     (Duer),  Sarah,  i.,  132 
Duyckinck  (Beekman),  Mary,  i.,31 
Dyckman  (Cruger),  Eliza  L.  C,  i.,  73 


Ellison,  Mary  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 


Feathstonhaugh,  George  W.,  i.,  123 

—  Sarah  Duane,  i.,  123 

Fish,  Clarence  S.  Bryce,  i.,  141 

—  (Northcote)  Edith,  i.,  141 

—  (Hauteville)  Elizabeth  S.,  i.,  141 

—  (Monis)  Elizabeth  S.,  i.,  139 

—  Elizabeth  Sackett,  i.,  137 

—  Elizabeth  Stuyvesant,  i.,  139 

—  Emily  N.  Mann,  i.,  141 

—  Family,  i.,  137 


Fish,  Hamilton,  i.,  139 

—  Hamilton  11.,  i.,  141 

—  Hamilton  III.,  i.,  141 

—  Hamilton  IV.,  i.,  141 

—  Jonathan  the  founder,  i.,  137 

—  (Benjamin)  Julia  K.,  i.,  141 

—  Julia  Kean,  i.,  141 

—  (Neilson)  Margaret  A.,  i.,  139 

—  Marion  Anthon,  i.,  142 

—  Marion  G.  Anthon,  i.,  143 

—  Nicholas  (Colonel),  i.,  138 

—  Nicholas,  ii.,  141 

—  (Webster)  Sarah,  i.,  141 

—  Sidney  Webster,  i.,  142 

—  Stuyvesant,  i.,  139 

—  Stuyvesant  (railway-president),  i.,  141 

—  Stuyvesant  11.,  i.,  142 

—  (Le  Roy)  Susan,  i.,  139 

—  (Rogers)  Susan  L.,  i.,  141 
Floyd,  Elizabeth  De  Lancey,  i.,'96 

—  (Delafield)  Julia,  i.,  82 

—  NicoU,  i.,82 

—  Nicoll  (Colonel),  i.,  82 

—  Richard  (Colonel),  i. ,  96 

—  William,  i.,  S2 

Foster  (Delafield),  Clara  C,  i.,  84 

—  Frederick,  1.,  84 
Franklin,  Benjamin,  i.,  03 

—        (Clinton)  Maria,   1.,  52 
Franks,  Phila  De  Lancey,  i.,  94 
Fraunces,  Samuel,  i.,  92 
Fulton,  Robert,  ii.,  97 


Gardiner,  Abigail  Worth,  i.,  152 

—  Abraham  (Captain),  i.,  151 

—  Abraham  (Colonel),  i.,  i^o 

—  Adele  Griswold,  i.,  153 

—  Baldwin,  i.,  153 

—  Coralie  Livingston,  i.,  153 

—  Coralie  L.  Jones,  i.,  153 

—  Daniel  Dennison,  i.,  151 

—  David,  i.,  149 

—  David,  i  ,  1=52 

—  David  (the  lawyer),  i.,  153 

—  David  (4th  Lord),  i.,  150 

—  David  (oth  Lord),  i.,  131 

—  David  Johnson  (8th  Lord),  i.,  153 

—  David  Johnson  II.,  i.,  153 

—  Deborah  L.  Avery,  i.,  151 

—  Elenor  Groesbeck,  i.,  152 

—  Elizabeth  Allyn,  i.,  149 

—  Elizabeth  Coit,  i.,  150 

—  Elizabeth  Hedges,  i.,  149 

—  Elizabeth  Mulford,  i.,  151 


254 


1InJ)ey 


Gardiner,  Eunice  Otis,  i.,  151 

—  Family,  i.,  145 

—  Frances  Mulford,  i.,  153 

—  Hannah  Havens,  i.,  151 

—  Howell,  i.,  152 

—  Jeremiah,  i.,  151 

—  Jerusha  Buel,  i.,  151 

—  Joanna  Conkling,  i.,  151 

—  John,  i.,  151 

—  John  (of  Batons  Neck),  i.,  151 

—  John  i.,  153 

—  John,  Jr.,  i.,  151 

—  John  (3d  Lord),  i.,  149 

—  John  (5th  Lord),  i.,  151 

—  John  (Dr.),  i.,  151 

—  John  David  (Rev.),  i.,  153 

—  John  Griswold,  i.,  153 

—  John  Lyon,  i.,  153 

—  John  Lyon  II.,  i.,  153 

—  Joseph  (Captain),  i.,  150 

—  Julia  Havens,  i.,  152 

—  Juliana  McLachlan,  i.,  152 

—  (Tyler)  Juliana,  i.,  152 

—  Lion,  the  founder,  i.,  145 

—  Louise  L.  Veron,  i.,  153 

—  Lydia  Dann,  i.,  152 

—  Lyon,  i.,  153 

—  Margaret  Moore,  i.,  152 

—  Mary  L'Hommedieu,  i.,  153 

—  Mary  C.  L'Hommedieu,  i.,  153 

—  Mary  King,  i.,  149 

—  Mary  Leringman,  i.,  149 

—  Mary  Smith,  i.,  151 

—  Mary  Thompson,  i.,  153 

—  Mary  Wilemson,  i.,  146 

—  Nathaniel  (Dr.),  i.,  151 

—  Phoebe  Weed,  i.,  152 

—  Rachel  Gardiner,  i.,  151 

—  Samuel  (Captain),  i.,  150 

—  Samuel,  i.,  151 

—  Samuel  Buel  (loth  Lord),  i.,  153 

—  Samuel  Smith,  i.,  152 

—  Sara  Grant,  i.,  150 

—  Sarah  Chandler,  i.,  149 

—  Sarah  Griswold,  i.,  152 

—  Susan  Mott,  i.,  153 

—  William,  i.,  isi 

—  Winthrop,  i.,  153 
Gedney,  David,  i.,  131 

—  Henrietta  Duer,  i.,  131 
Gibbes  (Astor),  Charlotte  Augusta,  i.,  8 
Gray,  Mary  Little  (Clinton),  i.,  47 
Gustavus  Adolphus,  King,  i.,  13 

H 

Hake  (De  Peyster),  Helen,  i.,  109 
Hall  (De  Peyster),  Berthick,  i.,  109 


Hall,  Catherine  C.  Delafield,  i.,  84 

—  JohnJ.,  i.,  84 

Hallett  (Delafield),  Ann,  i.,  80 

—       Joseph,  i.,  80 
Hamilton,  Adelaide,  i.,  163 

—  Alexander,  i.,  163 

—  Alexander,  i.,  71,  109,  121,  122,  138, 

157-161 

—  Alexander  (Laird),  i.,  137 

—  Alexander  IL,  i.,  161 

—  Alexander  III.,  i.,  162 

—  Alice,  i.,  163 

—  Allen  McLane,  !.,  163 

—  Charles  Apthorp  i.,  163 

—  Charlotte  Augusta,  i.,  163 

—  Charlotte  Pierson,  i.,  163 

—  (Schuyler)  Eliza,  i.,  162 

—  Elizabeth,  i.,  163 

—  Elizabeth  Schuyler,  i.,  161 

—  Family,  i.,  157 

—  James,  i.,  157 

—  James  Alexander,  i.,  162 

—  John  Church,  i.,  162 

—  Juliet  P.  Morgan,  i.,  164 

—  Maria  Eliza,  i.,  163 

—  Maria  E.  Van  den  Heuval,  i.,  162 

—  Mary  Augusta,  i.,  132 

—  (Schuyler)  Mary  M.,  i.,  162 

—  Philip,  i.,  161 

—  Philip,  II.,  i.,  162 

—  Schuyler  (Major-General),  i.,  162 

—  Schuyler,  Jr.,  i.,  164 

—  William  Gaston,  I.,  163 

—  William  Pierson,  i.,  164 
Harris  (Cruger),  Elizabeth,  i.,  69 
Hauteville,  Elizabeth  S.  Fish  d',  i.,  141 

—  Frederick  S.  G.  d',  i.,  141 
Hayward  (Cruger),  Ann  T.,  i.,  73 
Heathcote  (De  Lancey),  Ann,  i., 

—  Caleb,  i.,  93,  94 
Hedges  (Gardiner),  Elizabeth,  i., 
Hicks,  Abigail  B.,  i.,  59 

—  (Cornell)  Charity,  i.,  57 

—  Charlotte  Brevoort,  i.,  30 

—  Whitehead  (Mayor),  i.,  39 
Hitchcock,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  i.,  58 
Hobart,  Bishop,  i.,  97 

Hoffman,  Abraham,  i.,  176 

—  Adrian  (Dr.),  i.,  179 

—  Alida  L.  Hansen,  i.,  172 

—  Ann  C,  Stoutenburgh,  i.,  179 

—  Anthony  (Colonel),  i.,  175 

—  Anthony  (Judge),  i.,  173 

—  Anthony  A.  (Judge),  i.,  176 

—  Anthony  N.,  i.,  179 

—  Arthur  Gilnian,  i.,  184 

—  Beekman  Verplanck  (Captain),  i.,  179 


93 


'49 


■fln^ey 


255 


Hoffman,   Beulah  Murray,  i.,  177 

—  Cadwallader  Colden  (Rev.),  i.,  180 

—  Catharina  van  Gaasbeck,  i.,  173 

—  Catharine  Douw,  i.,  175 

—  Catharine  Verplanck,  i.,  175 

—  Charles  Fenno,  i.,  182 

—  Charles  Frederick  (Rev.),  i.,  183 

—  Cornelia  R.  Vredenburgh,  i.,  173 

—  David  Murray,  i.,  180 

—  Edward  Fenno,  i.,  184 

—  Edy  Silvester,  i.,  176 

—  Eleanor  L.  Vail,  !.,  183 

—  Elizabeth  Baylies,  i.,  184 

—  Elizabeth  Snedeker,  i.,  176 

—  Emily  Burrall,  i.,  182 

—  Emmerentje,  C.  D.  W.,  i.,  171 

—  Eugene  Augustus  (Rev.  Dr.),  i.,  182 

—  Eugene  Augustus  II.,  i,,  184 

—  Family,  !.,  lOo 

—  Frances  A.  Burr,all,  i.,  iSo 

—  Gertrude  Verplanck,  i.,  176 

—  Glorvina  R.  Storm,  i.,  178 

—  Harmanus  (Captain),  i.,  175 

—  Helena  Kissam,  i.,  176 

—  Helena  Van  Wyck,  i.,  174 

—  Jane  Hoffman,  i.,  176 

—  John  Thompson  (Governor),  i.,  183 

—  John  White,  i.,  184 

—  Josiah  Ogden  (Judge),  i.,  177 

—  josiah  Ogden,  II.,  i.,  184 

—  Lindley  Murray,  i.,  180 

—  Lindley  Muiiay  II.,  i.,  184 

—  Lysbeth  Hermans,  i.,  177 

—  Margaret  Bayard,  i.,  176 

—  M.aria  Fenno,  i.,  178 

—  Martin,  the  founder,  !.,  170 

—  Martin  (Colonel),  i.,  T72,  173 

—  Martin  (Captain),  i.,  176 

—  Martin,  i.,  177 

—  Martin,  i.,  180 

—  Mary  Colden,  i.,  T78 

—  Mary  C.  Elmendorf,  i.,  183 

—  Mary  Frances  Seton,  i.,  177 

—  Mary  M.  Ogden,  i.,  180 

—  Mary  Rutgers,  i. ,  175 

—  Matilda,  i.,  181 

—  Mills,  i.,  172 

—  Murray  (Judge),  i.,  180 

—  Nicolaes  (Captain),  i.,  171 

—  Nicholas  (Captain),  i.,  171 

—  Nicholas,  i.,  174 

—  Nicholas  Anthony,  i.,  176 

—  Ogden,  i.,  181 

—  Ogden  (Judge),  !.,  184 

—  Philip  Livingston,  i.,  176 

—  Philip  Verplanck,  i,,  178 

—  Phoebe  Pell,  i.,  179 


Hoffman,   Phoebe  W.  Townsend,  i.,  180 

—  Rachel  Dubois,  i  ,  176 

—  Richard  Anthony  (Dr.),  i.,  179 

—  Richard  Kissam  (Dr.),  i.,  179 

—  Robert  (Colonel),  i.,  175 

—  Samuel  Southard  (Colonel),  i.,  184 

—  Samuel  Verplanck,  i.,  178 

—  —  —  II.,  i.,  1S4 

—  Sarah  Ogden,  i.,  174 

—  Sarah  Van  Alstyne,  i. ,  175 

—  Tryntje  Benson,  i.,  172 

—  Virginia  E.  Southard,  !.,  182 

—  Wickham  (Colonel),  i.,  184 

—  William  (Dr.),  i.,  178 

—  Zachariah  (Lieutenant),  i.,  176 

—  Zacharias  (Captain),  i.,  171 

—  —        II.,  (Captain),  i.,  173 

—  Zecharias  (Captain),  i.,  171 
Holmes,  Abiel  (Dr.),  ii.,  243 

—  Oliver  Wendell,  ii.,  243 

—  Sarah  Wendell,  ii.,  243 
Hone  (De  Peyster),  Maria  A.  K.,  !.,  in 
Hoyt,  Frances  M.  Duer,  !.,  131 

—  Henry  S.,  i.,  131 
Hull,  Gener.il,  i.,  40 

Hunter,  Elizabeth  E.  De  Lancey,  i.,  98 

—  Governor,  i.,  28 

I 

Irving,  Anna  H.  Duer,  i.,  131 

—  Pierre  P.  (Rev.),  i.,  131 

—  Washington,  i.,  39,  40,  41 
Izard,  Alice  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 

—  Ralph,  i.,  07 

J 
Jansen,  (De  Peyster)  Jane,  i. ,  109 
Jay  (Balch),  Anna,  i.,  199 

—  (von  Schweintz),  Anna,  i.,  200 

—  Anna  Maria,  i.,  191 

—  (Pienepont)  Anna  Maria,  i.,  199 

—  Anna  M.  Bayard,  i.,  191 

—  (Robinson)  Augusta,  i.,  200 

—  Augusta  McVickar,  i.,  198 

—  Augustus,  i.,  200 

—  Augustus  11.,  i.,  191,  192 

—  Augustus  the  founder,  i.,  190 

—  (Dubois)  Catherine,  i.,  199 

—  (Chapman)  Eleanor,  i.,  200 

—  Eleanor  K.  Field,  i.,  199 

—  (Pellew)  Eliza,  i.,  199 

—  Emily  Astor  Kane,  i.,  200 

—  Euphemia  Dunscombe,  i.,  192 

—  (Munro)  Eva,  i.,  191 

—  Family,  !.,  189 

—  (Van  Cortlandt)  Frances,  i.,  191 

—  Frederick,  i.,  191 


256 


■flnbey 


Jay,  Harriette  A.  Vinton,  i.,  200 

—  James  (Dr.),  i-,  191,  192 

—  John,  i.,  199 

—  John  (Chief-Justice),  i.,  191 

—  John  Clarkson  (Dr.),  i.,  199 

—  John  Clarkson  II.,  (Dr.),  1.,  200 

—  Josephine  Pearson,  i.,  199 

—  (Van  Horn)  Judith,  i.,  191 

—  Julie  Post,  !.,  200 

—  (Wurts)  Laura,  i.,  200 

—  Laura  Prime,  i.,  199 

—  Lucy  Oelrichs,  i.,  200 

—  Margaret  Barclay,  i.,  192 

—  (Banyer)  Maria,  i.,  197 

—  (Butter worth)  Maria  B.,  i.,  199 

—  (Edwards)  Mary,  i.,  200 

—  (Schieffelin)  Mary,  i.,  200 

—  (Valletta)  Mary,  i.,  191 

—  Mary  Duyckinck,  i.,  192 

—  Mary  R.  Clarkson,  i.,  197 

—  (Prime)  Mary  Rutherford,  i.,  199 

—  Mary  Van  Cortlandt,  i.,  191 

—  Peter,  i.,  190 

—  Peter  (Jr.),  i.,  191 

—  Peter  II.,  i.,  191 

—  Peter  Augustus,  i.,  197 

—  —  —         "•,  i-.  '99 

—  —         —        III.,  i. ,  200 

—  Pierre,  i.,  190 

—  (Dawson)  Sarah,  i.,  199 

—  (Bruen)  Sarah  Louisa,  i.,  199 

—  Sarah  V.  B.  Livingston,  i.,  195 

—  (Clarkson)  Susan  Maria,  i.,  199 

—  William,  i.,  198 

—  William  (Colonel),  i.,  200 
Jefferson,  Thomas,  i.,  40 
Johnson,  Samuel  (Rev.),  i.,  17 
Jones,  Anne  DeLancey,  i. ,  95 

—  (Clinton)  Catherine,  i.,  52 

—  De  Witt  Clinton,  i.,  52 

—  (Cruger)  Frances  A.,  i.,  73 

—  Julia  DeWitt,  i.,  52 

—  Thomas  (judge),  i.,  95 

K 

Kamp  (Delafield),  Lizzie  H.,  i.,  84 

—  Richard,  i.,  84 
Kean  (Fish),  Julia,  i.,  141 

Keoncott  (De  Peyster),  Margaret,  i.,  107 
Keteltas,  Abraham  (Rev.),  i.,  118 

—  (Duane),  Althea,  i.,  118 

—  (Beekman),  Jane,  i.,  31 
Kieft,  William  (Governor),  i.,  56 
King,  Adelaide  L.  Yorke,  i.,  21  j 

—  Adeline  McKee,  i.,  212 

—  (Paterson)  Alice  C,  i.,  211 


King,  Archibald  Gracie,  i.,  131,  212 

—  Caroline,  i.,  211 

—  Caroline,  i.,  222 

—  (Duer)  Caroline,  i.,  131,  211 

—  Charles  (General),  i.,  213 

—  Charles  (President),  i.,  209 

—  Charles  Ray  (Dr.),  i.,  212 

—  Cornelius  Low  (Colonel),  i.,  212 

—  Cyrus,  i.,  206 

—  Edward,  i.,  211 

—  Edward  II.,  i.,  212 

—  (Halsey)  Eliza  G.,  i.,  21 1 

—  Eliza  Gracie,  i.,  209 

—  Elizabeth  D.  Duer,  i.,  131,212 

—  Elizabeth  Fisher,  !.,  212 

—  Elizabeth  Lewis,  i.,  212 

—  (Van  Rensselaer)  Elizabeth  R.,  i.,  211 

—  Emily  Post,  i. ,  211 

—  (Paterson)   Emily  S.,  i.,  211 

—  (Martin)    Esther,  i.,  21 1 

—  Family,  i.,  205 

—  (McLane)  Fanny  L.,  i.,  211,  212 

—  Frederic  Gore  (Dr.),  i.,  211 

—  (Davis)  Frederica  G.,  i.,  210 

—  (Schuyler)  Gertrude,  i.,  211 

—  Hannah  Fisher,  i.,  212 

—  (Wilkes)  Harriet,  i.,  211 

—  Henrietta  Low,  i.,  210 

—  Isabella  Bragdon,  i.,  206 

—  Isabella  R.  Cochrane,  i.,  212 

—  James  Gore,  i.,  131,211 

—  James  Gore  II.,  i.,  131,  21 1 

—  Janet  de  Kay,  i.,  212 

—  John,  the  founder,  i.,  205 

—  John  Alsop  (Lieutenant),  i.,  208 

—  John  Alsop  II.,  i.,  212 

—  Julia  Lawrence,  i.,  212 

—  Maria  Williamson,  i.,  213 

—  (Gardiner)  Mary,  I.,  149 

—  (Nightingale)  Mary,  i.,  211 

—  (Richards),  Mary,  i.,  211 

—  (Waddington),  Mary  A.,  i.,  211 

—  Mary  Alsop,  i.,  206 

—  Mary  Black,  i.,  206 

—  Mary  C.  Rhinelander,  i.,  212 

—  Mary  Ray,  i.,  209 

—  Mary  Stowell,  i.,  205 

—  Nancy  Fisher,  i.,  212 

—  Richard,  i.,  206 

—  Richard  II.,  i.,  212 

—  Rufus,  founder  in  New  York,  i.,  206 

—  Rufus  II.  (General),  i.,  212 

—  Rufus  111.,  i.,  213 

—  Sarah  R.  Gracie,  i.,  211 

—  Sarah  Worthington,  i.,  211 

—  Susan  Elliott,  i.,  212 

—  William  (Governor),  i.,  206 


Iln^cy 


257 


King,  William  Gracie  (Colonel),  1.,  212 
Kip,  Abraham,  i.,  221 

—  (Rhinelander),  Adelaide,  i.,  226 

—  Anna  de  Sille,  i.,  219 

—  Anne  C.  Wilson,  i.,  225 

—  Brockholst  Livingston,  i.,  224 

—  Catalina  de  la  Noy,  i.,  221 

—  Catalina  de  Suyers,  i.,  219 

—  Charlotte  M.  Wells,  i.,  223 

—  Cornelia  Brady,  i.,  220 

—  Cornelia  Lewis,  i.,  223 

—  Elizabeth  C.  Kinney,  i.,  226 

—  Elizabeth  Marschalk,  i.,  222 

—  (Storrs)  Elizabeth,  i.,  224 

—  Eva  K.  M.,  i.,  225 

—  Eva  Lorrillard,  i.,  225 

—  Family,  i.,  217 

—  Francis  M.  (Rev.),  i.,  225 

—  George  Goelet,  i.,  225 

—  Harriet  L.  Van  Rensselaer,  i.,  224 

—  Hendrick,  the  founder,  i.,  217,  218 

—  Hendrick  11.,  i.,  219 

—  Hendrick  111.,  i.,  221 

—  Henri  or,  Henry  II.,  i.,  218 

—  Henry  111.,  i.,  223 

—  Henry  IV.,  i.,  225 

—  Isaac,  i.,  219 

—  Isaac,  i.,  221 

—  Isaac,  i.,  221 

—  Isaac,  i.,  221 

—  Isaac,  i.,  222 

—  Isaac  (Dr.),  i.,  222 

—  Isaac  Lewis,  i.,  224 

—  Isaac  Lewis  (Dr.),  i.,  226 

—  Jacob,  i.,  219 

—  Jacob,  i.,  221 

—  Jacob,  i.,  221 

—  jean  Baptiste,  i. ,  218 

—  John,  i.,  221 

—  Lawrence,  i.,  226 

—  Lawrence  (Colonel),  i.,  225 

—  Leonard,  i.,  222 

—  Leonard  11.,  i.,  224 

—  Leonard  ML,  i.,  224 

—  Leonard  IV.,  i.,  225 

—  Leonard  William,  i.,  224 

—  Leonard  William,  Jr.,  (Rev),  i.,  226 

—  Magdalena  Van  VIeeck,  i.,  221 

—  Margaret  de  Marveil,  i.,  218 

—  Maria  E.  Lawrence,  i.,  224 

—  Mana  Ingraham,  i.,  224 

—  Maria  Vermilyea,  i.,  219 

—  Marie  de  la  Montagne,  i.,  219 

—  (Kane)  Mary,  i.,  224 

—  Mary  R.  Bayard,  i.,  225 

—  Nicholas,  i.,  221 

—  Rachel  Kip,  i.,  222 


Kip,  Rachel  Swarthout,  i.,  221 

—  Roeloff,  i.,  217,  218 

—  Roeloff  II.,  i.,  218 

—  Roeloff  III.,  i.,  222 

—  Samuel  I.,  i.,  222 

—  Samuel  II.,  i.,  223 

—  Sarah  de  Mille,  i.,  221 

—  Sarah  Smith,  i.,  224 

—  (Burgess)  Sophia,  i.,  224 

—  William  F.,  i.,  222 

—  William  Ingraham  (Rev.),  i.,  224 

—  William  Ingraham  11.,  i.  221 

—  William  Ingraham  111.,  i.,  226 

—  William  V.  B.,  i.,  220 
Knickerbocker,  Dietrich,  i.,  40 
Kortright  (Cruger),  Eliza,  i.,  73 
Krebben,  Christian  C,  i.,  84 

—        Edith  Delafield,  i.,  84 
Kuyter  Jochiem  P.  (Captain),  i.,  36 


Langdon  (Delafield),  Elinor  E.,  i.,  82 

—  John,  i.,  82 

—  Thomas  E.,  i.,  82 
Lawrence,  Abraham  Riker,  i.,  237 

—  Abraham  Riker  (Judge),  i.,  243,  244 

—  Adam,  i.,  235 

—  Albert  Gallatin  (General),  i.,  244 

—  Alfred  Newbold,  i.,  244 

—  Alice  W.  Work,  i.,  245 

—  Amy  Whipple,  i.,  234 

—  Andrew  (Captain),  i.,  236 

—  Anna,  i.,  244 

—  (Delafield)  Anna  A.,  i.,  83 

—  Anna  Townsend,  i.,  236 

—  Augusta  M.  Nicoll,  I.,  240 

—  Catharine  i.,  246 

—  Catherine  Farmer,  i.,  234 

—  Catherine  Livingston,  i.,  234-235 

—  Catherine  Remsen,  i.,  236 

—  Clement,  i.,  245 

—  Charles  William,  i.,  243 

—  Christina  Knell,  i.,  241 

—  Cornelia  A.,  i.,  242 

—  Cornelius  Van  Wyck,  i.,  240 

—  David,  i.,  234. 

—  Deborah  Smith,  i.,  232,  234 

—  Deborah  Woodhill,  i.,  233 

—  Deborah  Woolsey,  i.,  233 

—  Edward  Newbold,  i.,  244 

—  Effingham,  i.,  233 

—  —         '•,  =44 

—  —         •••,  "•,  2}4 

—  —         III.,  i.,  236 

—  —         (Judge),  i.,  236 

—  Eliza  Miner,  i.,  244 


258 


1Int)ey 


Lawrence,  Elizabeth  Little,  i.,  233 

—  Elizabeth  Smith,  i.,  232 

—  Elizabeth  Watson,  i.,  236 

—  Estell,  i.,  237 

—  Eugene,  i.,  241 

—  Family,  i.,  229 

—  Ferdinand,  i.,  241 

—  Hannah  Bowne,  i.,  233 

—  Hannah  Newbold,  i.,  244 

—  Harriet,  i.,  242 

—  Henry,  i.,  230 

—  Henry,  i.,  242,  243 

—  (Beekman)  Isabella,  i.,  32 

—  Isabella  E.  Burgoyne,  i.,  241 

—  Isaphene  C,  i.,  242 

—  James  (Sir),  i.,  229 

—  James  (Captain),  i.,  238-239 

—  John,  i.,  230-231 

—  John,  i.,  233 

—  John,  1.,  234 

—  John,  i.,  237 

—  John  (Captain),  i.,  233 
_  John  (Judge),  i.,  233 

—  John  Burling,  i.,  244 

—  John  L.,  i.,  237 

—  John  L.,  i.,  243 

—  John  L.,  i.,  244 

—  John  L.,  i.,  244-245 

—  John  Smith,  i.,  243 

—  John  Watson,  i.,  240 

—  Jonathan,  i.,  233 

—  Jonathan,  i.,  236 

—  Jonathan  (Major),  i.,  235 

—  Jonathan  (Dr.),  i-,  243 

—  Jonathan  (Jr.),  i.,  243 

—  Jonathan  V.,  i.,  233 

—  Joseph,  i.,  232-233 

—  Joseph,  i.,  234 

—  Joseph,  i.,  237 

—  Joseph,  i.,  241 

—  Judith  Fish,  i.,  235 

—  Julia  B.,  i.,  242 

—  Julia  Montandevert,  i.,  239 

—  Lavinia  Oliver,  !.,  245 

—  Lydia  A.,  i.,  244 

—  Margaret  S.  Mtiller,  i.,  237 

—  Maria  C.  Prall,  i.,  240 

—  Maria  E.,  i.,  242 

—  Mary,  i.,  231 

—  (Whittinghame)  Mary,  i.,  231 

—  Mary  Betts,  !.,  234 

—  Mary  A.  Jones,  i.,  237 

—  Mary  K.  Bowne,  i.,  240 

—  Mary  Richardson,  i.,  243 

—  Mary  Sackett,  i.,  237 

—  Mary  Townley,  i.,  232 

—  Mary  Woodbury,  i.,  2'i'} 


Lawrence,  Matilda  Washington,  1.,  229 

—  Nicholas,  i.,  237 

—  Obadiah,  i.,  234 

—  Oliver,  i.,  245 

—  Patience  Sackett,  i.,  233 

—  Rachel  A.  Hicks,  1.,  240 

—  Richard,  i.,  230 

—  Richard,  i.,  233 

—  Richard,  i.,  236-237 

—  Richard,  i.,  243 

—  Richard,  i.,  243 

—  Richard  (Captain),  i.,  235 

—  Robert  (Sir),  i.,  229 

—  Rosetta  Townsend,  i.,  241 

—  Ruth,  i.,  245 

—  Ruth  Rikev,  i.,  235 

—  Samuel  (Judge),  i.,  236 

—  Samuel  Adams,  i.,  2;6 

—  Samuel  Sterry  (Dr.),  i.,  241 

—  Sarah  Smith,  i.,  237 

—  Sarah  A.  Smith,  i.,  237 

—  Sophy  Tilley,  i.,  243 

—  Susanna  T.  Eaton,  i.,  234 

—  Sybil  Sterry,  i.,  234 

—  Thamen  Fisher,  i.,  236 

—  Thomas,  i.,  237 

—  Thomas  (Captain),  i.,  234 
— .  Thomas  (Captain),  i.,  235 

—  Thomas  (Major),  i.,  230,  231 

—  Thomas  of  Newton,  !.,  233 

—  W.ilter,  i.,  236 

—  Watson  E.  (Judge),  i.,  240 

—  William,  i.,  230 

—  William,  i.,  232 

—  William,  i.,  236 

—  William,  i.,  246 

—  Willliam  (Dr.),  i.,  234 

—  William  (Judge),  i.,  230,  231 

—  William  Anderson,  i.,  243 

—  William  Beach,  i.,  241,  242,  243 

—  William  Miner,  i.,  24s 

—  William  T.,  i.,  237 

—  William  Thomas,  i.,  243 
Lefferts  (Brevoort),  Elizabeth  D.,  i.,  41 

—  Lefferts,  i.,  41 
Leisler,  Jacob  (Governor),  i.,  28 
Lent,  Abraham,  i.,  19 

—    (Barclay)  Dentie  or  Dientje,  i.,  19 
Le  Roy,  Catherine  Rutgers,  ii.,  139 

—  Cornelia  Rutgers,  ii.,  139 

—  Daniel,  i.,  139 

—  Jacob,  ii.,  109 

—  Susan  Fish,  i.,  119 
Lerringman  (Gardiner),  Mary,  i.,  149 
Lewis,  Ann,  i.,  253 

—  Elizabeth  Annesley,  i.,  251 

—  Elizabeth  Ludlow,  i.,  253 


1In&ey 


259 


Lewis,  Family,  i.,  249-256 

—  Francis,  jr.,  i.,  253 

—  Francis,  the  Signer,  i.,  82,  249,  250,  252- 

25'> 

—  Gertrude  Livingston,  i.,  255 

—  Margaret  (DeLifield),  i.,  82 

—  Morgan  (General),  i.,   82,  253-254-25S- 

256 
Library,  the  Astor,  i.,  7 

—  the  New  York  Society,  i.,  18 
Lincoln,  Abraham,  i.,  140 
Livingston,  Abraham  ii.,  16 

—  Albert  Gallatin  ii.,  14,  15 

—  Alida,  ii.,  11 

—  Anne  Home  S.,  ii.,  16 

—  Brockholst  [1757],  ii.,  12,  13 

—  (Ten  Broeck),  Catharine,  ii.,  n 

—  Catherine,  ii.,  11 

—  Charles  Carroll,  ii.,  13 

—  Cornelia  Beekman,  ii.,  6 

—  Edward,  i.,  130;  ii.,  13,  14,  15 

—  Eliza,  ii.,16 

—  Elizabeth  Knight,  ii.,  5 

—  Elizabeth  S.,  ii.,  16 

—  (De  Peyster),  Estelle,  i.,  112 

—  Eugene  Augustus,  i.,  83 

—  Family,  ii.,  3,  17 

—  Gilbert,  ii.,  6,  7,  13 

—  Henry,  ii.,  11 

—  Henry,  ii.,  12 

—  Henry  B.,  ii.,  16 

—  Henry  W.,  ii.,  12 

—  Herman,  ii.,  12 

—  James,  ii.,  7 

—  James,  ii.,  11 

—  James,  ii.,  17 

—  James  (Colonel),  ii.,  16 

—  (Van  Home),  Johanna,  ii.,  6 

—  John,  ii.,  7 

—  John,  ii.,  11 

—  John,  ii,,  1 1 

—  John,  ii.,  17 

—  John  (of  Oak  Hill),  ii.,  12 

—  John  (Colonel),  ii.,  5 

—  John  (Rev.),  ii.,  3,  4 

—  Joh^  G.,  ii.,  1 12 

—  John  Henry  (Rev.),  ii.,  13 

—  John  P.,  ii.,  16 

—  John  Swift,  ii.,  12 

—  John  William  (Admiral),  ii.,  16 

—  Johnston,  ii.,  12 

—  Johnston  II.,  ii.,  12 

—  (Delafield),  Julia,  i.,  82 

—  Katherine  Van  Brugh,  ii.,  5 

—  Louis,  ii.,  12 

—  Margaret,  i.,  139 

—  Margaret,  ii.,  11 


Livingston,  (Vetch),  Margaret,  ii.,  6 

—  Margaretta  Schuyler,  ii.,  7 

—  Maria  K.,  ii.,  11 

—  (Decare)  Mary,  ii.,  11 

—  (De  Peyster  ,  Mary,  i.,  iij 

—  (Penn  Allen),  Mary,  ii.,  12 

—  (Thong),  Mary,  ii.,  7 

—  (Delafield),  Mary  C,  i.,  83 

—  Maturin  (Judge),  i.,  82 

—  Maturin,  ii.,  17 

—  Maturin  II.,  ii.,  17 

—  Peter,  ii.,  7 

—  Peter  R.,  ii.,  11 

—  Peter  R.,ii.,  12 

—  Peter  Van  Brugh,  ii.,  7-9 

—  Philip,  ii.,  5-7 

—  Philip,  ii.,  7,  8 

—  Richard  (Lieutenant-Colonel),  ii.,  16 

—  Robert,  i.,  118;  ii.,  4-5 

—  Robert,  ii.,  7 

—  Robert,  ii.,  17 

—  Robert  (of  Clermont),  ii.,6,  7,  10,  11, 

13 

—  Robert  (Nephew),  ii. ,  6,  7  , 1 7 
-^  Robert  Cambridge,  ii.,  11,  12 

—  Robert  Cambridge  II.,  ii.,  12 

—  Robert  Cambridge  III.,  ii.,  12 

—  Robert  Cambridge  IV.,  ii.,  12 

—  Robert  R.  (Chancellor),  ii.,  13,  14 

—  Robert  R.  (Judge),  ii.,  10,  11,  13 

—  Sylvia,  ii.,  12 

—  Walter,  ii.,  11 

—  Walter  [1740],  ii.,  12 

—  William  (Governor),  ii.,  7,  9.  "1  ^- 
Lloyd  (Delafield),  Anne  S.,  i.,  85 
Longfellow,  Frederick  H.,  i.,  85 

—  Julia  Delafield,  i.,  85 

Low,  Isaac,  i.,  69 

Lubbertse,  Cornelia  De  Peyster,  i.,  102 
Lynch,  Thomas,  i.,  118 


M 


McAdam,  Anne  Charlotte  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 

—  John  L.,  i.,  97 

—  William  I.,  69 
McEvers,  Charles,  i.,  69 
McGee  (Barclay),  Fanny,  i.,  20 
Madison,  James,  i.,  49,  50 
Mann  (Fish),  Emily  N.,  i.,  141 
Markoe  (Cruger),  Ann,  i.,  72 
Marshall  (Barclay),  Margaret,  i.,  20 
Maur-Rhys,  ii.,  22 

Maxwell  (Cruger),  Sarah  J.,  i.,  73 
Mead  (Duer),  Elizabeth,  i.,  132 

—    Orlando,  i.,  132 
Milledoler  (Beekman),  Abian  Steele,  i.,  32 


26o 


ln^cJ: 


Milledoler,  Philip  (Rev.  Dr.),  i.,  31 
Montgomery,  Hannah  S.,  i.,  69 

Moran,  Daniel  E.,  i.,  84 

—  (Delafield),  Elizabeth  B.,  !.,  84 

Morris,  A.  P.,  ii.,  34 

—  Anna  M.,  ii.,  35 

—  Anna  R.  Russell,  ii.,  36 

—  Annie  C,  i.,  55 

—  (De  Peyster),  Augusta  M.,  i.,  112 

—  Eleanor  R.,  ii.,  36 

—  Elizabeth  S.  Fish,  i.,  139 

—  Emily  Lorillard,  ii.,  36 

—  Family,  ii.,  21 

—  Fordham,  ii.,  36 

—  Francis  (Commodore),  ii.,  36 

—  Gerard  Walton,  ii.,  35 

—  Gouverneur,  ii.,  29 

—  Gouverneur  II.,  ii.,  33 

—  Gouverneur  111.,  ii.,  35 

—  Gouverneur  IV.,  ii.,  35 

—  Helen  Van  Cortlandt,  ii.,  34 

—  Henry,  ii.,  35 

—  Henry  Lewis,  ii.,  36 

—  Isabella  Graham,  ii.,  26 

—  Jacob  (General),  ii.,  33 

—  James  (Captain),  ii.,  34 

—  John  (Captain),  ii.,  22 

—  Katrintje  Staats,  ii.,  29 

—  Lewis  (Chief  Justice),  ii.,  24 

—  Lewis  (Colonel),  ii.,  22 

—  Lewis  (Colonel),  ii.,  34 

—  Lewis  III.,  ii.,  28 

—  Lewis  IV.,  ii.,  29 

—  Lewis  Gouverneur,  ii.,  34 

—  Lewis  Spencer,  ii.,  ^6 

—  Martha  J.  Gary,  ii.,  35 

—  Mary  Cox,  ii.,  34 

—  Mary  Walton,  ii.,  32 

—  Randolph,  ii.,  35 

—  Richard,  ii.,  29 

—  Richard  (Captain),  ii.,  21 

—  Richard  (Judge),  ii.,  32 

—  Richard  Lewis  (Dr.),  i.,  139 

—  Richard  Valentine  II.,  ii.,  35 

—  Richard  Valentine  (Commodore),  ii.,  34 

—  Robert  (of  Fordham),  ii.,  34 

—  Robert  Hunter  (Governor),  ii.,  28 

—  Robert  Hunter  II.,  ii.,  34,  35 

—  Sarah  Pole,  ii.,  25 

—  Sarah  Gouverneur,  ii.,  29 

—  Sarah  Ludlow,  ii.,  32 

—  Staats  Long,  ii.,  29 

—  William,  ii.,  22 

Morse  (Delafield),  Elizabeth  B.,  i.,  85 

—  Sidney,  i.,  85 
Munro,  Frances  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 

—  Peter  Jay,  i.,  97 


Munson  (Delafield),  Mary  P.,  i.,  82 
—      Judge,  i.,  82 


N 


Neely,  Henry  A.,  i.  83 

—  Henry  A.  (Rev.),  i.,  83 

—  (Delafield),  Mary  F.,  i.,  83 
Neilson,  John  (Dr.),  i.,  139 

—       Margaret  A.  Fish,  i.,  139 
New  York  Society  Library,  i.,  18 
NicoUs,  Richard  (Governor),  i.,  56,  57,  67 
North,  Maria  Duane,  i.,  123 

—  William  (General),  i.,  123 
Northcote,  Edith  Fish,  i.,  141 

—         Oliver,  i.,  141 


Oakley,  Matilda  C.  C,  i.,  72 

—  Thomas  j.  (Chief  justice),  i.,  72 
Octave  (De  Peyster),  Mary,  i.,  107 

Ogilvie,  J.  (Rev.),  i.,  16 
Oldfield  (Barclay),  Lillie,  i.,  20 
Osgood,  Alfred  (Rev.),  ii.,  45 

—  Alfred  T.,ii.,  46 

—  Caroline  T.  Lawrence,  ii.,  46 

—  Catharine  R.  Montgomery,  ii.,  47 

—  Clara  Runyon,  ii.,  40 

—  Daniel  (Rev.),  ii.,  42 

—  David  (Rev.),  ii.,  46 

—  David  L.,  ii.,  46 

—  Family,  ii.,  41 

—  Frances,  ii.,  46 

—  Harriet  K.,  ii.,  46 

—  Harriet  K.  Ladd,  ii.,  46 

—  Henry  (Dr.),  ii.,  42 

—  Herbert  L.  (Professor),  ii.,  47 

—  Howard  (Rev.),  ii.,  46 

—  Howard  Lawrence,  ii.,  47 

—  Isaac  (Colonel),  ii.,  42 

—  John  (Colonel),  ii.,  42 

—  John  (Captain),  the  founder,  ii.,  41 

—  Joseph  (Dr.),  ii.,  43 

—  Julia,  ii.,  45 

—  Kendall  (Dr.),  ii.,  42 

—  Maria  Bowne  Franklin,  ii.,  45 

—  Maria  Carle,  ii.,  46 

—  Martha  Brandon,  ii.,  45 

—  (Genet),  Martha  B.  II.,  ii.,  45 

—  Mary  M.,  ii.,  46 

—  Paulia  C.  Pelt,  ii.,  46 

—  Peter  (Captain),  ii.,  42,  45 

—  Samuel  (Captain),  ii.,  42 

—  Samuel  (Colonel),  ii.,  43,  44 

—  Samuel  (Rev.),  ii.,  45 

—  Samuel  StiUman,  ii.,  46 


Unbcy 


261 


Osgood  (Field),  Susan  M.,  ii.,  45 

—  Tliaddeus  (Rev.),  ii.,  42 

—  Walter  Franklin,  ii.,  45 
Osterburg  (Cornell),  Mary  C,  i.,  02 


Paine  (Delafield),  Eliza,  i.,  83 

Paterson  (Van  Rensselaer),  Cornelia,  ii.,  219 

—       William  (Governor),  ii.,  219 
Paul  (Astor),  Mary  D.,  i.,  8 
Pell,  Adelia  Duane,  i.,  123 

—  George  W.,  i.,  123 

—  James  D.,  i.,  123 

—  John  A.,  i.,  123 

—  Richard  M.,  i.,  123 

—  Robert  L.,  i.,  123 

Perry  O.  H.  (Commodore),  i.,  41 
Peters,  Hugh  (Rev.),  i.,  146 
Phillips,  Margaret  Wendell,  ii.,  243 

—  Wendell,  ii.,  243 

—  William,  ii.,  24-5 
Pool  (Duer),  Sophia  L.,  i.,  r  ?2 
Potter,  Abigail  Stevens,  ii.,  55 

—  Alice  Key,  ii.,  55 

—  Alonzo  (Bishop),  ii.,  53 

—  Anna,  ii.,  55 

—  Anna  Knight,  ii.,  53 

—  Charles  Henry,  ii.,  55 

—  Clarkson  N.,  ii.,  54 

—  David  T.,  ii.,  55 

—  Edward  Tuckerman,  ii.,  55 

—  Eliphalet  N.,  ii.,  ss 

—  Eliza  Rogers,  ii.,  55 

—  Esther  Sheldon,  ii.,  53 

—  Family,  ii.,  51 

—  Frank  Hunter,  ii.,  55 

—  Frances  Seton,  ii. ,  55 

—  Frances  Tileston,  ii.,  55 

—  Harriet  D.  Jones,  ii.,  55 

—  Helen  Fuller,  ii.,  55 

—  Henry  Codman  (Bishop),  ii.,  55 

—  Horatio  (Bishop),  ii.,  53 

—  Horatio,  Jr.,  ii.,  55 

—  Howard,  ii.,  55 

—  James  Neilson,  ii.,  5"; 

—  Jane  Burlingame,  ii.,  51 

—  John,  ii.,  53 

—  John,  ii.,  53 

—  John,  ii.,  ■;3 

—  Joseph,  ii.,  s? 

—  Julia  Blatchford,  ii.,  53 

—  (Delafield),  Louisa,  i.,  83 

—  Margaret  Pollock,  ii.,  55 

—  (Thompson),  Maria,  ii.,  55 

—  Mary  J.,  ii.,  55 

—  Mary  Jane,  ii.,  55 


Potter,  Mary  J.  Tomlinson,  ii.,  5; 

—  Mary  L.  Brown,  ii.,  55 

—  Paraclete,  i.,  83 

—  (Delafield),  Paraclete,  i.,  83 

—  Phoebe,  ii.,  55 

—  Phoebe  Arnold  Greene,  ii.,  51 

—  Robert,  the  founder,  ii.,  51 

—  Robert  B.  (General),  ii.,  55 

—  Robert  Minturn,  ii.,  55 

—  Ruth  Fisher,  ii.,  53 

—  Sarah  M.  Nott,  ii.,  53 

—  Sarah  Porter,  ii.,  55 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  S3 

—  Virginia  Mitchell,  ii.,  55 

—  William  A.,  ii.,  s? 

—  William  Bleecker  (Professor),  ii.,  55 
Prime  (Delafield),  Emily,  i.,  83 

—  Frederick,  i.,  83 


Ramsay  (Cruger),  Martha,  i.,  72 
Rapalje,  Agnes  Bergen,  ii.,  67 

—  Aletje  Cornell,  ii.,  65 

—  Anna  Denys,  ii.,  64 

—  Annetje,  ii.,  64 

—  Augustus,  ii.,  70 

—  Catalina  Trico,  ii.,  64 

—  Catalyntje,  ii.,  64 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  65 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  66 

—  Daniel,  ii,,  64 

—  Daniel,  ii.,  65 

—  Daniel,  ii.,  66 

—  Daniel,  ii.,  67 

—  Daniel  (Major),  ii.,  67 

—  Daniel  (Rev.),  ii.,  67 

—  Derrick,  ii.,  66 

—  Elizabeth,  ii.,  64 

—  Elizabeth  Remsen,  ii.,  66 

—  Elizabeth  Van  Mater,  ii.,  70 

—  Ellen  Hardenbrook,  ii.,  08 

—  Ellen  Maria,  ii.,  69 

—  Family,  ii.,  65 

—  Folkert,  ii.,  66 

—  George,  ii.,  66 

—  George,  ii.,  66 

—  George,  ii.,  68 

—  George,  ii. ,  69 

—  George,  Jr.,  ii.,  66 

—  George  A.,  ii.,  69 

—  George  B.,  ii.,  68 

—  George  Bernard,  ii.,  69 

—  Gilbert  V.  M.,  ii.,  70 

—  Hilletje  Van  Vechten,  ii.,  65 

—  Jacob,  ii.,  64 

—  Jacob,  ii.,  65 

—  Jacob,  ii.,  69 


262 


■flntJey 


Rapalje,  Jan,  the  founjer,  ii.,  6} 

—  Jan,  Jr.,  ii.,  64 

—  Jannetje,  ii.,  64 

—  Jeroniinus,  ii.,  64 

—  Jeroninius,  ii.,  65 
-  Jeroninius,  ii.,  66 

—  Jeroninius,  ii.,  66 

—  Joanna  Antonidcs,  ii.,  65 

—  John,  ii.,  67 

—  Judith,  ii.,  64 

—  Marritje,  ii.,  64 

—  Matilda  Polhemus,  ii.,  66 

—  Michael,  ii.,  67 

—  Phoebe,  ii.,  66 

—  Rem,  ii.,  66 

—  Rem,  ii.,  68 

—  Samuel,  ii.,  67 

—  Sarah,  ii.,  66 

—  (Bergen)  (Bogaert),  Saiah,  ii.,  64 

—  Sarah  Brinckerhoff,  ii.,  65 

—  Sarah  E.,  ii.,  69 

—  Sarah  E.  Staples,  69 

—  Sarah  Klock,  ii.,  65 

—  Sarah  Van  Vechten,  ii.,  65 

—  Susan  E.  Provost,  ii.,  68 

—  Tunis,  ii.,  65 

—  Tunis,  ii.,  66 

—  Tunis,  ii.,  66 

—  Williamson,  ii.,  67 
Rathbone  (Cruger),  Susan  M.  W.,  i.,  73 
Reade,  Joseph,  i.,  107 

—  (De  Peyster),  Sarah,  i.,  107 
Remsen,  Abraham,  ii.,  75 

—  Abraham,  ii.,  76 

—  Aert,  ii.,  76 

—  (Dorlandt),  Anna,  ii.,  75 

—  (Adriense),  Catalina,  ii.,  75 

—  Charles  (Dr.),  ii.,  79 

—  Christopher,  ii.,  75 

—  Daniel,  ii.,  75 

—  Elizabeth  de  Peyster,  ii.,  78 

—  Family,  ii.,  7; 

—  (Hegeman),  Femmetje,  ii.,  75 

—  Garrett,  ii.,  76 

—  Georgiana  D.,  ii.,  78 

—  Hendrick,  ii.,  77 

—  Hendrick,  ii.,  77 

—  Henry,  ii.,  77 

—  Henry,  ii.,  78 

—  Henry,  ii.,  79 

—  (Schenck),  Heyltie,  ii.,  76 

—  (Vanderbilt),  Hildegong,  ii.,  75 

—  Ira  (Dr.),  ii.,  79 

—  Isaac,  ii.,  75 

—  Isaac,  Jr.,  ii.,  75 

—  Jacob,  ii.,  75 

—  Jacob  D.,  ii.,  79 


Remsen,  Jan,  ii.,  75 

—  Jane  Siiydam,  ii.,  78 

—  (Van  Nostrand),  Jannetje,  ii.,  75 

—  Jannetje  Rapalje,  ii.,  74 

—  Jeremias,  ii.,  75 

—  Jeronius,  ii.,  75 

—  Jeromus  (Captain),  ii.,  76 

—  John,  ii.,  75 

—  Joris,  li.,  75 

—  Lilian  Livingston,  ii.,  79 

—  Luke,  ii.,  76 

—  Mary  Delprat,  ii.,  78 

—  (Howard),  Phoebe,  ii.,  76 

—  Phoenix,  ii.,  79 

—  Rem,  ii.,  75 

—  Rem,  ii.,  76 

—  Rem  II.,  ii.,  75 

—  Rem  111.,  ii.,  75 

—  Rem  Jansen,  the  founder,  ii.,  74 

—  Robert  G.,  ii.,  78 

—  Robert  G.  (Dr.),  ii.,  79 

—  (Adriense),  Sarah,  ii.,  75 

—  William,  ii.,  78 

—  William,  ii.,  79 
Renwick  (Henry),  Agnes,  ii.,  86 

—  Anna  L.  Aspenwall,  ii.,  88 

—  Annie  Cooke,  ii.,  90 

—  Claire  Rhinelander,  ii.,  91 

—  Edward  B.,  ii.,  91 

—  Edward  S.,  ii.,  88 

—  (Brown),  Eliza  C,  ii.,  91 

—  Eliza  S.  Crosby,  ii.,  90 

—  (Wittingham),  Elizabeth,  ii.,  91 

—  Elizabeth  A.  Brevoort,  ii.,  90 

—  Ellen  J.  Vv'ise,  ii.,  91 

—  (Hurry),  Emily  A.,  ii.,91 

—  Emily  D.  Hicks,  ii.,  91 

—  Evelyn  Smith,  ii.,  91 

—  Family,  ii.,  83 

—  Frederick  W.,  ii.,  90 

—  Frederick  W.  II.,  ii.,  91 

—  Gertrude  Sears,  ii.,  91 

—  Harold  S.,  ii.,  91 

—  Harriet  McDonell,  ii.,  91 

—  (Schaff),  Helen  S.,  ii.,  91 

—  Henry,  ii.,  90 

—  Henry  B.,  ii.,  86 

—  (Smedburg),  Isabella,  ii.,  86 

—  James,  ii.,  87 

—  James  (Professor),  ii.,  84 

—  James,  the  founder,  ii.,  84 

—  James,  the  martyr,  ii.,  83 

—  James  A.,  ii.,  90 

—  (Wilkes),  Jane,  ii.,  86 

—  (Callender),  Jane  J.,  ii.,  90 

—  Jane  Jeffrey,  ii.,  84 

—  Julia  Kortright,  ii.,  90 


■flnbey 


263 


Renwick,    (Munroe),  Laura,  ii.,  qo 

—  Margaret  A.  Brevoort,  ii.,  86 

—  (Brown),  Mary  C,  ii.,  91 

—  (Strong),  Mary  C,  ii.,  91 

—  Mary  H.  Rhinelander,  ii.,  86 

—  (Swan),  Mary  R.,  ii.,  00 

—  (Sedgwicl<),  Meta  B.,  ii.,  91 

—  Phili[)  B.,  ii.,  91 

—  Robert  J.,  ii.,  86 

—  Robert  J.  II.,  ii.,  90 

—  S.  Stanhope,  ii.,  91 

—  Viola  Blodget,  ii.,  90 

—  William,  ii.,  84 

—  William  C,  ii.,  91 

—  William  R.,  ii.,  00 

—  William  W.,  ii.,  01 
Rhinebeck  (from  Beekman),  i.,  27 
Riker  (Duane),  Grietje,  i.,   118 
Rives,  Francis  R.,  i.,  120 
Roberts  (Cruger),  Elizabeth,  i.,  75 

—  John,  i.,  81 

—  (Delafield),   Mary,  i.,  81 
Robinson,  Beverly,  i.,  131 

—  (Duer),  Catherine,  i.,  131 

—  Frances  Duer,  i.,  130 

—  Hamilton  E.  Duer,  i.,  130 

—  Morris,  i.,  131 

Rochester,  Margaret  M.  De  Lancey,  i.,  98 

—  Thomas  F.  (Dr.),  i.,  98 
Rogers,  Susan  L.  Fish,  i.,  141 

—      William  E.,  i.,  141 
Romaine  (Cruger),  Mary,  i.,  73 
Roosevelt,  Albert  C,  ii.,  102 

—  Albert  J.,  ii.,  101 

—  Alice  Lee,  ii.,  10 1 

—  Anne  L.  Jackson,  ii.,  102 

—  Annetje  Bogaert,  ii.,  97 

—  Charles  H.,  ii.,  102 

—  Claas,  the  founder,  ii.,  95 

—  Clinton,  ii.,  101 

—  Cornelius  V.  S.,  ii.,  98 

—  Cornelius  V.  S.  II.,  ii.,  99 

—  Edith  Carow,  ii.,  101 

—  Elbert,  ii.,  101 

—  Family,  ii.,  95 

—  Helborne,  ii.,  102 

—  Henry  E.,  ii.,  102 

—  Hillotje  Jans,  ii.,  96 

—  Hyltje  Syverts,  ii.,  96 

—  Isaac,  ii.,  97 

—  Jacobus,  ii.,  97 

■ —         Jacobus  II.,  ii.,  97 

—  James,  ii.,  97 

—  James  I.,  ii.,  97 

—  James  11-,  ii.,  98 

—  James  A.,  ii.,  99 

—  James  H.,  ii.,  loi 


Roosevelt,  Jane  M.  Young,  ii.,  101 

—  Jannetje  Thomas,  ii.,  95 

—  Johannes,  ii.,  90 

—  John  (Captain),  ii.,  07 

—  Lydia  M.  Latrobe,  ii.,  98 

—  Margaret  Barnhill,  ii.,  98 

—  Martha  Bullock,  ii.,  100 

—  Mary  Van  Schaick,  ii.,  98 

—  Nicholas,  ii.,  9b 

—  Nicholas,  ii.,  97 

—  Nicholas  (Lieutenant),  ii.,  98 

—  Peter  T.,  ii.,  101 

—  Robert  B.,  ii.,  99 

—  Samuel  M.,  ii.,  08 

—  (Schuyler),  Sarah,  ii.,  97 

—  Silas  W.,  ii.,  99 

—  Theodore,  ii.,  99 

—  Theodore  (President),  ii.,  100 

—  Washington,  ii.,  101 
Rusher  (Cniger),  Frances  E.,  i.,  75 
Rutgers  (Lispenard),  Alice,  ii.,  io8 

—  Anthony,  ii.,  107 

—  Anthony,  ii.,  108 

—  Anthony  (Captain),  ii.,  109 

—  Anthony  11.,  ii.,  108,  19 

—  Anthony  111.,  ii.,  loS 

—  Catarina  de  Hooges,  ii.,  107 

—  Catharina  Meyer,  ii.,  108 

—  (Bedloe),  Catharine,  ii.,  109 

—  (LeRoy),  Catharine,  ii.,  109 

—  (Van  Home),  Catharine,  ii.,  108 

—  Catharine  de  Peyster,  ii.,  108 

—  Cornelia  Benson,  ii.,  107 

—  (LeRoy),  Cornelia,  ii.,  loq 

—  Elizabeth  Beekman,  ii.,  109 

—  Elizabeth  Williams,  ii.,  108 

—  (Lispenard),  Elsie,  ii.,  108 

—  (Marshall),  Elsie,  ii.,  108 

—  (Schuyler),  Elsie,  ii.,  107 

—  (Provoost),  Eva,  ii.,  108 

—  Family,  ii.,  105 

—  Gerard,  ii.,  112 

—  Gertrude  Gouvemeur,  ii.,  108 

—  Harman,  ii.,  106 

—  Harman  (Lieutenant),  ii.,  109 

—  Harman  III.,  ii.,  108 

—  Harman  IV.,  ii.,  109 

—  Harman  H.,  ii.,  107 

—  Hendrick,  ii.,  108 

—  Hendrickje  Vandewater,  ii.,  107 

—  Henry  (Colonel),  ii.,  109 

—  (Bleecker),  Margaret,  ii.,  106 

—  Margaret  Bayard,  ii.,  112 

—  (Barclay),  Mary,  ii.,  19 

—  Peter,  ii.,  108 

—  Robert,  ii.,  109 

—  Robert  II. ,  ii.,  1 12 


264 


llnt)ey 


Rutgers,  Rutgers  Jacobsen,  the  founder,  ii.,  105 
—       TryntjeJ.  Van  Breesteede,  ii.,  106 


Sackett,  Hannah  De  Lancey,  i.,  95 

—      Joseph  (Rev.),  i.,  95 
Sanders  (Beekman),  Catherine,  i.,  31 
Sands,  Charles,  i.,  85 

—      (Delafield),  Lettice  L.,  i.,  Ss 
Schermerhorn,  Abraliam,  ii.,  121 

—  Adeline  E.  Coster,  ii.,  122 

—  Aeltje,  ii.,  1 19 

—  Ann  Elliott  Huger  Laight,  ii.,  i: 

—  Arnout,  ii.,  1 19 

—  Arnout,  ii.,  120 

—  Beyer,  ii.,  1 18 

—  Bruce,  ii.,  123 

—  Burr  (Dr.),  ii.,  123 

—  Catharina,  ii.,  1 19 

—  Catharine,  ii.,  120 

—  Cornelia,  ii.,  1 18 

—  Cornelius  (Judge),  ii.,  123 

—  Daniel  C,  ii.,  123 

—  Edmond  H.,  ii.,  122 

—  Elizabeth,  ii.,  121 

—  (Brevoort),  Elizabeth,  i.,  42 

—  Elizabeth  Bussing,  ii.,  121 

—  (Auchmuty),  Ellen,  ii.,  122 

—  Esther,  ii.,  120 

—  Family,  ii.,  1 17 

—  Frederick  Augustus,  ii.,  122 

—  George,  ii.,  121 

—  Helena,  ii.,  118 

—  Henry  A.,  ii.,  122 

—  Henry  Augustus,  ii.,  123 

—  Hester  ii.,  120 

—  Jacob,  the  founder,  ii.,  117 

—  Jacob,  Jr.,  ii.,  1 18 

—  James,  ii.,  121 

—  James  J.,  ii.,  122 

—  Jannetje,  ii.,  1 18 
• —  Jannetje,  ii.,  119 

—  Jannetje  Segers,  ii.,  ii8 

—  Johannes,  ii.,  119 

—  John,  ii.,  120 

—  John,  ii.,  121 

—  Lucas,  ii.,  118 

—  Mary,  ii.,  120 

—  Marytje  Beekman,  ii.,  119 

—  Nachtilt,  ii.,  118 

—  Neeltje,  ii.,  1 18 

—  Peter,  ii.,  120 

—  Peter,  ii.,  121 

—  Peter,  the  younger,  ii.,  121 

—  Peter  Henry,  ii.,  122 

—  Sarah,  ii.,  120 


Schermerhorn,  Sarah  Cannon,  ii.,  119 

—  Sarah  Jones,  ii.,  122 

—  Symon,  ii.,  118 

—  Symon,  ii.,  1 19 

—  Symon,  ii.,  120 

—  Willementje,  ii.,  1 19 

—  WiUempie  Viele,  ii.,  1 18 

—  William  B.,  ii.,  123 

—  William  C,  ii.,  122 
Schieffelin  (Barclay),  Sarah  S.,  i.,  20 
Schuchardt  (Delafield),  Elizabeth,  i.,  84 
Schuchardt  Frederick,  i.,  84 
Schuyler  (Church),  Angelica,  ii.,  132 

—  Anna  de  Peyster  ,  i.,  106 

—  Anthony  (Rev.),  ii.,  135 

—  Arendt,  ii.,  127,  128 

—  Arent,  i.,  106;  ii.,  135 

—  Brandt,  ii.,  127 

—  (De  Peyster),  Catharine,  i.,  106 

—  (Malcolm)  (Cochran),  Catherine,  ii,  132 

—  Catherine  Van  Rensselaer,  ii.,  130 

—  (Morton),  Cornelia,  ii  ,  132 

—  Cornelia  Van  Cortlandt,  ii.,  130 

—  Elizabeth  Ten  Broeck,  ii.,  132 

—  Elizabeth  Van  Rensselaer,  ii.,  132 

—  Eugene,  ii.,  137 

—  Family,  ii.,  127 

—  (Hamilton),  Elizabeth,  ii.,  132 

—  George  Lee,  ii.,  133 

—  George  W.,  ii.,  136 

—  Georgina,  ii.,  134 

—  Grace  Hunter,  ii.,  133 

—  John,  ii.,  127 

—  John,  ii.,  1 53 

—  John  B.,  ii.,  132 

—  John  Bradstreet,  ii. ,  132 

—  Louis  Sandford  (Rev.),  ii.,  135 

—  Louisa  Lee,  ii.,  134 

—  Margaret  S.,  ii.  129 

—  (Van  Rensselaer),  Margarita,  ii.,  132 

—  Margherita  Van  Schlichtenhorst,  ii.,  127 

—  Mary  A.  Sawyer,  ii.,  133 

—  Montgomery,  ii.,  136 

—  Montgomery  (Rev.),  ii.,  135 

—  Montgomery,  Jr.,  ii.,  136 

—  Myndert,  i.,  100 

—  Philip,  ii.,  132 

—  Philip  (Captain),  ii.,  136 
Philip  (Colonel),  ii.,  129 

—  Philip  (General),  i.,  138;  ii.,  129 

—  Philip  (Major),  ii.,  134 

—  Philip,  ttie  founder,  ii.,  127 

—  Philip  J.,  ii.,  132 

—  Philip  Jeremiah,  ii.,  133 
■  —       Pieter  (Colonel),  i.,  106 

—  Pieter  (Colonel),  ii.,  129 

—  Pieter  (Mayor),  ii.,  127 


■fln&cy 


265 


Schuyler,  Rensselaer,  ii.,  132 
Scott,  John  W.  (General),  i.,  138 
—      Sir  Walter,  i.,  39,  40 
Sharp,  Richard,  i.,  6q 
Shepherd  (Cruger),  Caroline  M..  i.,  74 
Shipman,  Edgar,  i.,  84 

—         Harriet  C.  Delafield,  i.,  84 
Simpson,  Sampson,  i.,  09 
Sloane  (Barclay),  Priscilla  D.,  i.,  ;o 
Smith,  Atkinson,  ii.,  146 

—  (Cruger),  Caroline,  i.,  71 

—  Catherine  Duer,  i.,  1^2 

—  Charles  Bainbridge,  ii.,  147 

—  Charles  Vincent,  i.,  132 

—  Christiana,  ii.,  142 

—  Elizabeth  Hartley,  ii.,  142 

—  Elizabeth  Lynsen,  ii.,  146 

—  Elizabeth  Scott  Williams,  ii.,  144 

—  Eugene  Keteltas,  ii.,  147 

—  Family,  ii.,  139 

—  Frances  Peartree,  ii.,  142 

—  James,  ii.,  142 

—  James  (Dr.),  ii.,  146 

—  Jennet  Livingstone,  ii.,  145 

—  John,  ii.,  142 

—  John,  ii.,  144 

—  John  Taylor,  ii.,  147 

—  John  Witherspoon,  i.,  130 

—  Joshua  Hett,  ii.,  146 

—  Keteltas,  ii.,  147 

—  Mary  Hett,  ii.,  144 

—  Mary  Taylor,  ii.,  147 

—  Mehetabel  Hooker,  ii.,  144 

—  Samuel,  ii.,  142 

—  Sarah  H.  Duer,  i.,  130 

—  Susan  Webber,  ii.,  146 

—  Susanna  Odell,  ii.,  142 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  142 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  144 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  146 

—  Thomas,  Jr.,  ii.,  147 

—  William,  ii.,  141,  142 

—  William,  ii.,  140 

—  William  II.,  ii.,  142 

—  William  (Chief-Justice),  ii.,  144 

—  William  (Judge),  ii.,  142 

—  William  Peartree,  ii.,  144 

—  Willimina  Stodart,  ii.,  147 
Steuben,  Baron,  i.,  123 
Storrow  (Cruger),  Julie  C,  i.,  75 
Sturgis,  Charles,  i.,  84 

—  Cornelia  Delatield,  i.,  84 

—  George,  i.,  84 

—  Mary  Delafield,  i.,  84 
Stuyvesant,  A.  Van  Home,  ii.,  1S7 

—  Amelia  Schuchardt,  ii.,  157 

—  Anna,  ii.,  156 


Stuyvesant,  (Bayard),  Anna,  ii.,  153 

—  Balthazar,  ii.,  15s 

—  (Onderdonk),  Caroline  A.,  ii.,  i';7 

—  Caroline  Hoppock,  ii.,  IS7 

—  (Mortimer),  Catherine  A.,  ii.,  IS7 

—  Catherine  Ackerley.  ii.,  157 

—  Catherine  A.  Cheesebrough,  ii.,  1S7 

—  Catherine  L.  Rcade,  ii.,  156 

—  (Neill),  Catherine  S.,  ii.,  157 

—  (Ten  Broeck),  Cornelia,  ii.,  156 

—  Cornelia  U.  Bergen,  ii.,  158 

—  (Fish),  Elizabeth,  i.,  139;  ii.,  156 

—  Elizabeth  Slechtenhorst,  ii.,  156 

—  Elizabeth  T.  Kendall,  ii.,  157 

—  F.  Schuchardt,  ii.,  1  s8 

—  Family,  ii.,  151 

—  Fanny  J.  Gibson,  ii.,  157 
— ■  Gerard,  ii.,  157 

—  Gerard,  ii.,  158 

—  Gerardus  or  Gerard,  ii.,  156 

—  (Rogers),  Gertrude,  ii.,  157 

—  Harriet  L.  Seward,  ii.,  157 

—  (Dudley-Olmsted-Mayo),  Helen  C., 

ii.,  1S7 

—  (Sandford),  Helen  M.,  ii.,  157 

—  Helen  Rutherford,  ii.,  150 

—  Henry,  ii.,  157 

—  Jane  A.  Browning,  ii.,  157 

—  John  R.,  ii.,  157 

—  John  R.,  ii.,  i'i7 

—  Joseph  Reade,  ii.,  IS7 

—  (Winthrop),  Judith,  ii.,  156 

—  Judith  Bayard,  ii.,  153 

—  Judith  Bayard  11.,  ii.,  I?6 

—  (Winterhoff),  Julia  H.,  ii.,  157 

—  Julia  Martin,  ii.,  is6 

—  Margaret  A.  Mildeberger,  ii.,  157 

—  (Van  Rensselaer),  Margaret  L.,  ii.,  i  S7 

—  (Wainwright),  Margaret  L.,  ii.,  157 

—  Margaret  Livingston,  ii.,  156 

—  Marie  Beekman,  ii.,  156 

—  Mary  A.  Yates,  ii.,  157 

—  Mildred  N.  Floyd,  ii.,  158 

—  Nicholas  W.,  i.,  28;  ii.,  155,  156 

—  Nicholas  W.  II.,  ii.,  156 

—  Nicholas  W.  111.,  ii.,  157 

—  Peter,  i.,  139 

—  Peter,  ii.,  156 

—  Peter,  ii.,  156 

—  Peter,  ii.,  156 

—  Peter  G.,  ii.,  156 

—  Petrus  (Governor),  i.,  26,   102;    ii., 

151,  152 

—  Robert,  ii.,  157 

—  Robert  R.,  ii.,  1S7 

—  Robert  Reade,  ii.,  157 

—  (Pillot),  Rosalie,  ii.,  157 


266 


■fluDey 


Stuyvesant,  Rutherford,  ii.,  is8 

—  Susan  Barclay,  ii.,  156 

—  Susan  R.Van  Home,  ii.,  157 

—  Van  Home,  ii.,  isS 

—  Van  Rensselaer,  ii.,  IS7 
Summers,  Andrew,  i.,  83 

—  (Delafield),  Helen,  i.,  85 
Suydam,  Henry,  i.,  132 

—  (Duer),  Louise,  i.,  132 
Swamp,  Beekman,  i.,  27 
Swift,  Dean,  i. ,  40 


Tallmadge,  Benjamin,  i.,  81 

—         (Delafield),  Harriet  W.,  i.,  81 
Tappen  (Livingston),  Caty,  ii.,  166 

—  Charles  Barclay  (Colonel),  ii.,  168 

—  Christoffel,  ii.,  165 

—  Christopher,  ii.,  166 

—  Christopher,  Jr.,  ii.,  167 

—  (Clinton),  Cornelia,  ii.,  167 

—  Cornelia  Kiersted,  ii.,  167 

—  Cornelia  Vas,  ii.,  160 

—  Family,  ii.,  163 

—  Frederick  D.,  ii.,  169 

—  Henry  Philip  (Rev.),  ii.,  168 

—  John,  ii.,  168 

—  Jurian,  the  founder,  ii.,  164 

—  Jurian  (II.),  ii.,  165 

—  Peter  (Dr.),  ii.,  166 

—  Sarah  A.  B.  Littell,  ii.,  170 

—  Sarah  Schepmoes,  ii.,  165 

—  Tunis,  ii.,  105 
Throckmorton,  Captain,  i.,  56 
Thurman,  John,  i.,  69 
Todd,  Adam,  i.,  5 

Todd  (Astor),  Sarah,  i.,  5 

Toler  (De  Peyster),  Julianna,  i.,  113 

Travers  (Duer),  Ellen,  i.,  132 

—  William,  i.,  132 


Van  Baal  (De  Peyster),  Mary,  i.,  105 
Van  Boogh  (Beekman),  Catherine,  i.,  28 
Van  Buren,  Abraham,  ii.,  177 

—  Abraham  (Colonel),  ii.,  179 

—  (Duer),  Ann,  i.,  132 

—  Anna  Hoes,  ii.,  177 

—  Angelica  Singleton,  ii.,  177 

—  Ariaantje  B.  Meindersen,  ii.,  176 

—  Ariaantje  G.  Vanderberg,  ii.,  176 

—  Barent,  ii.,  176 

—  Barent,  ii.,  177 

—  Benjamin,  ii.,  176 

—  Catalyntje  Martense,  ii.,  174 


Van  Buren,  Catalyntje  V.   B.  Schermerhorn,  ii., 
176 

—  Catalyntje  V^itbeck,  ii.,  177 

—  Catharine  Quackenbosch,  ii.,  177 

—  (Van  Deusen),  Cornelia,  ii.,  176 

—  Cornelia  Salisbury,  ii.,  176 

—  Cornelius,  the  founder,  ii.,  174 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  176 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  177 

—  Elizabeth  Vanderpoel,  ii.,  179 

—  Family,  ii.,  173 

—  Frank  Roe,  ii.,  180 

—  Hannah  Hoes,  ii.,  179 

—  Hendrick,  ii.,  176 

—  Howard,  ii.,  180 

—  Johannes,  or  John,  ii.,  176 

—  John,  i.,  132 

—  John  ("  Prince  "),  ii.,  179 

—  John  Dash,  ii.,  179 

—  John  Dash,  Jr.,  ii.,  179,  180 

—  Lawrence,  ii.,  179 

—  Maes,  ii.,  17s 

—  Margrietje  Van  Vlechten,  ii.,  176 

—  Maria  G.  Van  Alen,  ii.,  177 

—  Maria  Litner,  ii.,  T77 

—  Maria  Vanderberg,  ii.,  176 

—  Maria  Winne,  ii. ,  177 

—  Maritje  Quackenbosch,  ii.,  176 

—  (Vosburgh),  Marritje,  ii.,  176 

—  Marritje  Briesch,  ii.,  176 

—  Marritje  Hun,  ii.,  176 

—  Marritje  Vanderpoel,  ii.,  176 

—  Marten,  ii.,  174 

—  Martin,  ii.,    176 

—  Martin,  ii.,  176 

—  Martin,  ii.,  176 

—  Martin  (President),  ii.,  177 

—  Petrus,  ii.,  176 

—  Peter,  ii.,  177 

—  Robert,  ii.,  180 

—  Singleton,  ii.,  180 

—  Tanneke  Adams,  ii.,  176 

—  Thenotje  Vanderberg,  ii.,  176 

—  Tobias,  ii.,  176 

—  Tobias,  ii.,  176 

—  Tobias,  ii.,  177 

—  Tobias,  ii.,  177 

Van  Cortlandt,  Ann  Stevenson,  ii.,  191 

—  (De  Lancey),  Anne,  i.,  91 ;  ii.,  187 

—  Anne  S.  Van  Schaack,  ii. ,  188 

—  Annetje  Loockermanns,  ii.,  186 

—  Augustus,  ii.,  190 

—  Catharine  Beck,  ii.,  191 

—  (Mathews),  Catharine  T.  R.,  ii., 

191,  192 

—  Catherine  Clinton,  ii.,  191 

—  Catherine  de  Peyster,  ii.,  188 


Iln^ey 


267 


Van  Cortlandt,  Catherine  Ogden,  ii.,  188 

—  (Schuyler),  Cornelia,  ii.,  187 

—  Elizabeth  Ciiyler,  ii.,  190 

—  (Phillipse),  Eva,  ii.,  187 

—  Family,  ii.,  18s 

—  Frances  Jay,  ii.,  188 

—  Frederick,  ii.,  186 

—  Frederick,  ii.,  188 

—  Gertrude,  i.,  29 

—  (Beekman),  Gertrude,  ii.,  187 

—  (Ver  Planck),  Gertrude,  ii.,  188 

—  Gertrude  Schuyler,  ii.,  187 

—  Helen  Barclay,  ii.,  100 

—  Jacobus,  i.,  9;  ii.,  187 

—  James  (Colonel),  ii. ,  igo 

—  James  S.  (Captain),  ii.,  iqi,  192 

—  Joanna  Livingston,  ii.,  189 

—  Johannes,  ii.,  187 

—  Johannes,  ii.,  188 

—  (Bayard),  Margaret,  ii.,  187 

—  (De  Peyster),  Margaret,  i,  106 

—  (Van  Rensselaer),  Maria,  ii.,  187 

—  Mary  W.  Ricketts,  ii.,  188 

—  Oloff,  the  founder,  ii.,  1S6 

—  Philip,  ii.,  iSS 

—  Philip  (Colonel),  ii.,  188 

—  Philip  (General),  ii.,  189 

—  Pierre,  ii.,  191 

—  Pierre  (Colonel),  ii.,  191 

—  Pierre  (General),  ii.,  190 

—  Pierre  (Lieutenant-Governor),  ii., 

188,  189 

—  Romeyn  B.,  ii.,  191 

—  Stephanus,  i.,  91,  92  ;  ii.,  186 

—  Stephen  (Colonel),  ii.,  188 

—  Steven,  ii.,  186 

—  Vv'illiam  R.,  ii.,  188 
Van  Cott,  Alexander  H.,  ii.,  201 

—  Caroline  Case,  ii.,  200 

—  Claes,  the  founder,  ii.,  197 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  198 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  198 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  199 

—  Cornelius  (Postmaster),  ii.,  200 

—  Cornelius,  Jr.,  ii.,  198 

—  David,  ii.,  loS 

—  David  H.,  ii.,  201 

—  Family,  ii.,  197 

—  Fanny  Thompson,  ii.,  201 

—  Gabriel,  ii.,  199 

—  Gabriel,  ii.,  202 

—  Gabriel,  Jr.,  ii. ,  199 

—  Joshua  M.,  ii.,  199 

—  Joshua  M.  (Dr.),  ii.,  200 

—  Lincoln,  ii.,  202 

—  May  Richardson,  ii,,  202 

—  Nellie  Praa,  ii.,  198 


Van  Cott,  Richard,  ii.,  109 

—  Richard,  ii.,  202 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  1Q9 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  200 

—  Wickfield,  ii.,  202 

Vanderbeeck,  or   Vanderbeek  (for  Remsen),  ii., 
73,  74 
—  Rem  Jansen,  ii.,  74 

Vanderbilt,  Alfred  G.,  iL,  aio 

—  Alice  Gwynne,  ii.,  210 

—  Alva  Smith,  ii.,  210 

—  (Parker)  (Lafitte),  Catherine,  ii.,  209 

—  Consuelo  (Duchess),  ii.,  210 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  206 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  210 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  210 

—  Cornelius  (Commodore),  ii.,  205 

—  Edith  S.  Dresser,  ii.,  210 

—  (Osgood),  Eliza,  ii.,  209 

—  (Webb),  Eliza  Osgood,  ii.,  210 

—  Elsie  French,  ii.,  210 

—  (Sloane),  Emily,  ii.,  209 

—  (Thorn),  Emily,  ii.,  209 

—  (Allen),  Ethelinda,  ii.,  200 

—  Family,  ii.,  205 

—  (Twombly),  Florence  Adele,  ii.,  210 

—  Frances  Crawford,  ii.,  209 

—  Frederick  W.,  ii.,  210 

—  George,  ii.,  210 

—  (Whitney),  Gertrude,  ii.,  210 

—  Gladys,  ii.,  210 

—  Grace  Wilson,  ii.,  210 

—  Harold.,  ii.,  21  1 

—  Jan,  the  founder,  ii.,  205 

—  Jeremiah,  ii.,  206 

—  John,  ii.,  206 

—  (Shepard),  Margaret  Louisa,  ii.,  210 

—  (La  Bau),  Maria  A.,  209 

—  Maria  L.  Kissam,  ii.,  210 

—  (Clark)  (Niven),  Marie  L.,  ii.,  209 

—  (Cross),  Phebe,  ii.,  209 

—  Reginald,  ii.,  210 

—  Sophia  Johnson,  ii.,  209 

—  (Torrance),  Sophia,  ii.,  209 

—  Virginia  Fair,  ii.,  211 

—  William  H.,  ii.,  209 

—  William  K.,  ii.,  210 

—  William  K.  (IL),  ii.,  211 
Van  Fez,  Anthony  Jansen,  ii.,  229 

Van    Rensselaer,  Catherine  Livingstone,  ii.,  218 

—  Cornelia  Paterson,  ii.,  219 

—  Cortlandt,  ii.,  223 

—  Cortlandt  (Rev.),  ii.,  225 

—  Cortlandt  (Rev.),  ii.,  225 

—  (Cruger),  Euphemia  W.,  i.,  73 

—  Family,  ii.,  213 

—  Gratz,  ii.,  225 


268 


fln^ey 


Van  Rensselaer,  Harriet  E.  Bayard,  ii.,  22^ 

—  Hendrick,  ii.,  218 

—  Henry,  i.,  S4 

—  Henry  (General),  ii.,  221 

—  Howard  (Dr.),  ii.,  220 

—  James  (Major),  ii.,  223 

—  James  T.,  ii.,  213 

—  Jan  Baptiste,  ii.,  217 

—  Jeremiah,  ii.,  222 

—  Jeremias,  ii.,  217,  225 

—  Jeremias  (5th  Patroon),  ii.,  218 

—  (Delalield),  Katherine,  i.,  84 

—  Kiliaen,  the  founder,  ii.,  215 

—  Kiliaen  (of  Albany),  ii.,  21S 

—  Kiliaen  (Captain),  ii.,  221 

—  Kiliaen  (Colonel),  ii.,  222 

—  Kiliaen  K.,  ii.,  222 

—  Margarita  Schuyler,  ii.,  219 

—  Maria  Van  Cortlandt,  ii.,  218 

—  Mary  B.  Tallmadge,  ii.,  223 

—  Maunsell  (Rev.),  ii.,  222 

—  Philip,  ii.,  223 

—  Philip  L.,  ii.,  223 

—  Solomon,  ii.,  222 

—  Solomon  (Colonel),  ii.,    219 

—  Stephen,  ii.,  218 

—  Stephen  (8th  Patroon),  ii.,  219 

—  Stephen  (9th  Patroon),  ii.,  220 

—  Stephen  (Colonel),  ii.,  223 

—  Stephen  (Rev.),  ii.,  221 

—  Steven  (6th  Patroon),  ii.,  218 

—  WiUiau),  ii.,  221 

—  William,  ii.,  223 

—  William  B.,  ii.,  220 

—  William  P.,  ii.,  223 
Van  Salee,  Anthony  Jansen,  ii.,  229 
Van  Schaick  (Barclay),  Cornelia,  i.,  16 

—  Elizabeth,  i.,  70 

—  (Roosevelt),  Mary,  ii.,  98 

—  Peter,  i.,  70 

Van  Sichlen  (for  Van  Siclen),  ii.,  227 
Van  Sickelen  (for  Van  Siclen),  ii.,  227 

Van  Sickle  (for  Van  Siclen),  ii.,  227 
Van  Sicklen  (for  Van  Siclen),  ii.,  227 

—  George,  ii.,  230 
Van  Siclen,  Abraham,  ii.,  233 

—  Abraham  (Lieutenant),  ii.,  233 

—  Andries,  ii.,  253 

—  Anthony,  ii.,  228 

—  Arthur,  ii.,  255 

—  Bennett  (Judge),  ii.,  25s 

—  Cornelius,  ii.,  233 

—  Cornelius  (of  Gravesend),  ii.,  232 

—  De  Witt  Clinton,  ii.,  234 

—  Eva  Jansen,  ii.,  228 

—  Family,   ii.,  227 

—  George  W.,  ii.,  235 


Van  Siclen,  George  Washington,  ii.,  235 

—  Grace  C.  Hogarth,  ii.,  255 

—  Gysbert,  ii.,  233 

—  Ferdinand,  ii.,  232 

—  Ferdinand,  ii.,  233 

—  Ferdinandus,  the  founder,  ii.,  228 

—  Ferdinandus,  Jr.,  ii.,  231 

—  Henry,  ii.,  234 

—  Jacobus,  ii. ,  233 

—  James  (Captain),  ii.,  23? 

—  James  C,  ii.,  235 

—  Jan  of  Raritan,  ii.,  233 

—  Johannes,  ii.,  231 

—  Johannes,  ii.,  233 

—  Johannes  (of  New  Lots),  ii.,  233 

—  John  Sydney,  ii.,  234 

—  John  T.,  ii.,  235 

—  Joseph  (Captain),  ii.,  233 

—  Lyman,  ii.,  2J4 

—  Mary  Van  Nuyse,  ii.,  232,  233 

—  Matthew,  ii.,  2^5 

—  Moses  E.  (Lieutenant),  ii.,  234 

—  Peter,  ii.,  233. 

—  Peter,  ii.,  233 

—  Reinier,  ii.,  231 

—  Reinier,  ii.,  233 

—  Reinier,  ii.,  233 

—  Reinier  (of  Flatbush),  ii.,  232 

—  Richard,  ii.,  234 

—  Sarah  Gregory,  ii.,  235 
Van  Siechelen  (for  Van  Siclen),  ii.,  227 
Varick,  Richard  (Colonel),  i.,  122,  123 
Voltaire,  i.,  15 

W 

Waldorf,  Hotel,  i.,  8 

—  Town  of,  i.,  3 
Waldorf-Astoria,  i.,  9 
Wallace  (Delafield),  Edith,  i.,  83 

—  Matthew  G.  (Rev.),  i.,  83 
Walton,  Jacob,  i.,  72 

—  Mary  De  Lancey,  i.,  95 

—  William,  i.,  69,  95 
Warren,  Peter,  (Sir),  i.,  92 

—  Susan  De  Lancey,  i.,  92 
Washington,  George,  i.,47,  48,  71,  72 
Watts,  Ann  De  Lancey,  i.,  92 

—  John,  i.,  92 

—  John,  i.,  97 

—  Jane  De  Lancey,  i.,  97 

—  (De  Peyster),  Mary  J.,  i.,  97 
Webster,  Sarah  Fish,  i.,  141 

—  Sidney,  i.,  141 
Wendell,  Abraham,  ii.,  241 

—  Abraham,  ii.,  242 
— ■       Abraham,  ii.,  244 


Hn^cy 


269 


Wendell,  Adelbert  C,  ii.,  246 

—  Anna  Glen,  ii.,  243 
^       Anna  Melvin,  ii.,  240 

—  Ariaantje  Visscher,  ii,,  241 

—  Barrett  (Professor),  ii.,  245 

—  Benjamin  R.,  ii.,  246 

—  Benjamin  R.,  Jr.,  ii.,  246 

—  Burr,  ii.,  246 

—  Cathalina  Hun,  ii.,  246 

—  Cathalina  Van  Benthuysen,  ii.,  245 

—  Catharina  Van  Vecliten,   ii.,  244 

—  Cornelius,   ii.,  246 

—  Dorothy  Sherburne,  ii.,  245 

—  Edith  Greenough,  ii.,  245 

—  (Quincy),  Elizabeth,  ii.,  242 

—  Elizabeth  Quincy,  ii.,  242 

—  Elizabeth  Sanders,  ii.,  242 

—  Elizabeth  Staats,  ii.,  241 

—  Elizabeth  Wendell,  ii.,  244 

—  (Staats),  Elsie,  ii.,  242 

—  Ephraim,  ii.,  243 

—  Evert,  the  founder,  ii.,  239 

—  Evert,  Jr.,  ii.,  242 

—  Family,  ii.,  239 

—  Frances  Roberts,  ii.,  246 

—  Garrett,  ii.,  245 

—  Gertrude  Lansing,  ii.,  245 

—  Harman  (Dr.),  ii.,  246 

—  Harmanus,  ii.,  243 

—  Harmanus  (Sheriff),  ii.,  24s 

—  Harmanus  C,  ii.,  246 

—  Hendrick,  or  Henry,  ii.,  244 

—  Hermanus,  ii.,  243 

—  Jacob,  ii.,  243 

—  Jacob  H.  (Captain),  ii.,  245 

—  Jeronimus,  ii.,  241 

—  John,  ii.,  241 

—  John,  ii.,  242 

—  John,  ii.,  242 

—  John,  ii.,  245 

—  John  (of  Boston),  ii.,  242 

—  John  Harmanus  (Captain),  ii.,  244 

—  John  Lansing,  ii.,  245 

—  Katrina  de  Kay,  ii.,  242 


Wendell,  (Phillips),  Margaret,  ii.,  243 

—  Maria  Lansing,  ii.,  244 

—  Maria  Visscher,  ii.,  242 

—  Maritie  Meyer,  ii.,  241 

—  Maritje  Vosburgh,  ii.,  241 

—  (Oothout),  Marritje,  ii.,  242 

—  Mary  Ren  Van  Nes,  ii.,  241 

—  Peter  (Dr.),  ii.,  245 

—  Philip,  ii.,  241 

—  (Holmes),  Sarah,  ii.,  243 

—  Sarah  Kip,  ii.,  246 

—  Sarah  Oliver,  ii.,  243 

—  Susanna  de  Trieux,  ii.,  241 

—  Thomas,  ii.,  241 

—  William,  ii.,  246 

—  William  F.,  ii.,  240 

—  William  H.,  ii.,  246 
Westcott  (Ducr),  Maria,  i.,  131 
Whetten  (Captain),  i.,  30 

—  (Brevoort),  Sarah,  i.,  39 
Wilkes,  Charles  (Admiral),  ii.,  86 

—  Jane  Renwick,  ii.,  86 
Willemson,  Derike,  i.,  146 

—  (Gardner),  Mary,  i.,  146 
William  Street,  i.,  27 

Williamson  (Cruger),  Louise  E.  A.,  i.,  73 
Willing  (Astor),  Ava,  i.,  9 
Willis  (Cruger),  Laura  A.,  i.,  74 
Wilson,  Eleanor  J.  Duer,  i.,  131 

—  George  T.,  i.,  131 
Winthrop,  John,  i.,  146 
Woodbury,  Cornelia  Delafield,  i.,  85 

—  Theodore,  i.,  85 
Wright  (Barclay),  Clara,  i.,  20 

—  Edward,  i.,  84 

—  Katherine  F.  Delafield,  i.,  84 
Wyeth  (Delafield),  Charlotte  H.,  i.,  85 

—  Leonard,  i.,  85 


Zeng  (DeLancey),  Josephine  M.  de,  i.,  g8 
—     William  S.  de,  i.,  98 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  LOS  ANGELES 

THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

This  book  is  DUE  on  tUe  last  date  stamped  below 


CISCH/VRGE 
MAY  10  196? 

APR  14  1978 


Form  L-o 


El8f    Hamm  - 
T.2     Pamous  families 

of  Mow  York. 

DeMCOU4N 

MAY  1  0  195' 

*F118 

H18f 

▼.2 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


•itC'D  LD-URi; 


m  1 4  ,993 

NON-REWEWJIBLE 

NOV  uo  ]%{i 

"EC   0  ;  1990 


315 


i|fff|iii|iimiiifiiiiii»iiiir,,n,,,n 


3  1158  00857  1787 


p,-,,MTucoi,oir,n:il.l  ,lHlWU''ninV 


D    000  738  007    4 


